Three girls who were approached by a man in a car in a community north of Auckland are being praised by police for turning him down.
The incidents involved a man in his 40s with wavy hair, but the description of the car involved differs.
The girls refused a ride and nothing further happened.
The man is alleged to have made the approaches in Red Beach on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, about 35km north of Auckland.
In the first incident, a nine-year-old girl was approached outside Red Beach School on Wednesday. She declined, and the school and police were told.
The following day, two 13-year-old girls were approached by a man in a vehicle on Moffatt Road, Red Beach. They declined and then told their parents and police.
Detective Senior Sergeant Brett Batty says police are trying to establish any links between these two incidents.
"The motives of the person or persons involved may well be innocent, but it is timely to remind people that these sorts of offers, though done with the best of intentions can often be misconstrued."
He said it was also pleasing the girls turned down the rides and notified the appropriate people.
"Police spend a considerable amount of time in our schools teaching children how to keep safe. In this case I am glad to say that these lessons have resonated and have been acted upon."
NZN
