Teenager escapes as man pulls her to car

A man tried to drag a teenage girl into his car at a bus stop, police said yesterday.

The 13-year-old Howick College student was sitting waiting, on the corner of Paparoa Rd and Minerva Tce about 3.20pm on Monday, when a white hatchback pulled over.

A man jumped out of the car and ordered the girl to get in.

When the teenager refused, the man grabbed her arm and started pulling her towards the car. The girl managed to break free and ran off, taking another bus home.

Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Pizzini said the girl did everything right.

"She hasn't accepted the ride from a stranger and taken action to keep safe at the time," he said.

Police were alerted to the attempted abduction on Monday night when the girl told her mother and were yesterday door-knocking residents.

Victim Support have counselled the teenager, who was "very upset", and Howick College has been notified.

The man was described as Polynesian, in his early 20s, of thin build and about 1.68m tall. He was wearing camouflage pants, a brown hooded top and a black beanie. The vehicle was an old and rusty two-door hatchback, with a number of dents in it, possibly a Toyota.

Mr Pizzini said the vehicle would be pretty distinctive and urged anyone with information to contact Counties Manukau Police on (09) 2611300 and ask for the child abuse team.