Police are appealing for information following a child approach incident in Forster.

About 2.30pm yesterday (Thursday 9 July 2015), a nine-year-old boy was walking his dog along Panorama Drive, when a vehicle stopped nearby.

The driver called out to the boy, offering him a lift and trying to engage him in conversation, but the boy ran from the location and alerted his mother to the incident.

The boy’s mother then notified police, who commenced investigations into the incident and conducted a patrol of the area.

Officers attached to Manning Great Lakes continue to investigate the incident and area appealing for information.

Police would like to speak to the driver who is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander in appearance, aged between 30 and 40 and with dark skin.

The vehicle involved is described as being a white Toyota Hilux dual cab utility.

Meanwhile, the incident has again prompted police to encourage parents to discuss the ‘Safe People, Safe Places’ messages with their children, including;
– Make sure your parents or another adult you know knows where you are at all times.
– Always walk straight home or to the place you are walking to. Walk near busier roads and streets, or use paths where there are lots of other people.
– Know where safe places are – a shop, service station, police station, library or school. If you are ever frightened, you should go to one of these places and ask them to call the police.
– Learn about safe adults you can look for and talk to if you need help – police officers, teachers at school, adults you know and trust.
– Don’t talk to people you don’t know and never get into a car with someone you don’t know. If a car stops on the side of the road and you don’t know the person inside, do not stop.
– If you are scared and can use a phone, call 000 and tell them you are scared.
– If someone tries to grab you, yell out, ‘Go away, I don’t know you’. This lets other people know you have been approached by someone you don’t know.