The driver of a van who chased an eight-year-old girl in Marton last week has police concerned.

About 5:30pm last Tuesday a brown van stopped beside the girl, who was cycling down Alexandra St.

The male driver got out and began chasing the girl but the girl fled on her bike screaming and managed to reach safety.

"Certainly this type of behaviour concerns the police and the wider community," Sergeant Peter Wood of Marton Police said. "Any activity of this type causes alarm bells to ring in the mind of any parent and certainly all police officers."

The driver was described as a Maori male, early to mid-twenties, about 1.82 metres (6 feet) tall.

He was solidly built and was wearing ripped blue jeans and a white T-shirt.

The van was described as an older-style vehicle, possibly a Toyota, with mud up the sides and on the wheels.

"We need to find this van and talk to the driver with some urgency," Mr Wood said.

He said the eight-year-old victim did everything right.

"She did not stop, she made as much noise as possible and informed her parents about the incident straight away."

If you know anything about this incident contact Marton Police on 063276555

- © Fairfax NZ News