Suspicious approach prompts police investigation

1:17 pm on 18 January 2019

Rotorua police are investigating after a man in a car approached a 13-year-old girl in the city on Monday.

Police generic

Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller

The girl was walking on Edmund Road in Western Heights about 10.15am when she was approached by a man driving a blue Ford SUV.

Police said she was uninjured, but understandably shaken.

Detective Chris Nairn said incidents like this could be very alarming for the community and police wanted to reassure locals all reports of this nature would be investigated with urgency.

"We ask that any other approaches of this nature are reported immediately to police via 111," he said.

"We actively encourage people to tell children and young adults to tell a trusted adult about anything that makes them feel unsafe or uncomfortable."

Mr Nairn said families should also ensure their children know how to get safely to and from school and other places they go - whether they walk, bike or go by bus.