Parents and caregivers in Hamilton are being warned to be vigilant after an attempted child abduction.
The attempted abduction occurred in Chartwell's Amethyst Ave shortly before 6pm on Tuesday, Detective Sergeant Kris Clarke of Hamilton police said.
"A man driving a dark blue car has grabbed a 12-year-old girl by the arm as she walked past and pulled her into his car.
"As he has gone around the front of the vehicle to get into the driver's side door, the quick thinking girl has managed to escape and raise the alarm."
Mrs Clarke said the girl's parents, police and partner agencies were treating the matter very seriously, and police were asking for the public to help them locate the alleged offender or his car.