Second girl assaulted on way to school in 24 hours

Palmerston North police are hunting a man who assaulted a 10-year-old girl on her way to school this morning. File photo / NZ Herald

Police are hunting a man who assaulted a 10-year-old girl on her way to school in Palmerston North this morning.

The assailant grabbed the girl as she walked through the West End area of the city about 8.20am but she managed to shake him off.

She ran to her school where she reported the incident to staff, Detective Shelley Ross of Palmerston North CIB said.

The girl was not injured and was being supported by her family, she said.

Police were seeking a Caucasian man, aged 30, of medium build with short hair and wearing black pants, a blue shirt and a tie.

He was driving a blue/green two-door car which he parked on Park Rd near Karere St, Ms Ross said.

The attack came a day after a 12-year-old Auckland girl was approached by a man who made "lewd suggestions" to her as she walked to school in Ponsonby yesterday morning.

She kicked him in the groin and ran to her school and alerted teachers.

A search by police for the man was unsuccessful.

- NZPA