Would-be abductor ordered girl into car

Police are warning Queenstown schools and parents to be vigilant after a man tried to grab a school girl and force her into his car yesterday.

The 11-year-old was walking to Wakatipu High School through the Fryer Street access area when the man accosted her about 3.10pm.

The Queenstown Primary School pupil was able to free herself from the man's grip when he ordered her into his car, the Southland Times reported.

Descriptions of the man and the car would be released once the girl had been interviewed, police said.

Detective Sergeant Grahme Bartlett said alerts were being sent out to schools warning parents, teachers and pupils to "exercise caution" after the abduction attempt.

Parents, children and staff would be urged to be careful and vigilant, he said.

Its the third schoolgirl abduction attempt in the country within a month. There have so far been no arrests.

A 15-year-old was chased by a man attempting to lure her into his ute in Hamilton on April 7.

He told her to get in the vehicle and tried to grab her.

When the girl fled the driver got out and chased her until she managed to lose him.

The offender was described as a Maori or Pacific Islander of muscular build, about 182cm tall and wearing a black hoodie, white beanie and black jeans.

A high school student was dragged into a car by a man in Timaru on March 23 but managed to escape when the vehicle stopped near a scenic reserve.

The man was described as tall and slim, in his late 20s or early 30s and wearing black clothing with a hoodie and black sunglasses.

- NZPA