Van used in attempted abduction spotted in Dunedin

A van used in an attempted abduction at the weekend had been spotted in south Dunedin and the city's business district, police say.

Police are continuing to appeal for more Dunedin sightings of a "home-sprayed silver" Ford Econovan that was recovered on Sunday, Detective Regan Boucher said.

Two men jointly charged with abducting a woman with the intention of raping her have been remanded in custody by consent.

Police were interested in speaking to any witnesses who had spotted their vehicle around the Dunedin area.

Mr Boucher said the response had been "great", with confirmed sightings of the van in the central business district and south Dunedin.

Police allege Joseph Warren Lepper , 36, of Motueka, and Zane Alexander McVeigh 17, labourer, of Kaiapoi, tried to abduct a 22-year-old on Saturday night.

It was still too early to say whether that attempted abduction was related to a second attempted abduction, when a 25-year-old Dunedin woman was dragged by a man to Bathgate Park, South Dunedin, just before midnight, he said.

"The investigation is still ongoing," he said.

Anyone with information about the van or about either of the alleged abduction incidents was urged to contact Dunedin police on 471-4800 or ring the anonymous Crimestoppers line, 0800 555-111.