Police on alert after two attempts to snatch girls

Two separate attempted abductions of teenage girls in Porirua in three days have put police on alert.

Porirua CIB Detective Belinda Bull said that in both situations the victims - aged 15 and 16 - managed to fight off their attacker and escape.

"We don't know if the incidents are related or not as we're still working on descriptions."

Police want to hear from anyone who saw the incidents or any suspicious activity in the Main Rd, Titahi Bay, areas, she said.

The first incident, on Monday, happened some time between 4pm and 8pm as the 16-year-old was walking home on Titahi Bay Rd.

A small white car pulled up beside her, the driver got out, grabbed the girl and tried to put her in the car but she struggled, broke free and ran home.

The second incident, at 3pm on Wednesday, involved a 15-year-old girl walking home on Titahi Bay Rd.

A man approached her and tried to pull her towards some nearby boatsheds but she was able to fight back and escaped.

Ms Bull said the young women were naturally shaken and distressed by what had happened.

- NZPA