Kidnap attempt worries police

A major police manhunt is underway north of Auckland to find a man who tried to kidnap an eight-year-old girl as she walked to school yesterday.

In a statement police say they are using "every available resource … to identify and locate this man before he tries to abduct or kidnap other girls of a similar age".

Rodney CIB police say  incident happened at about 7.50am yesterday as the girl, with her two siblings, was walking to a nearby school from Farrand Road, Kumeu, north west of Auckland.

The victim’s brother and sister walked on ahead of her, leaving the young girl on her own.

When the child approached Boord Crescent, Kumeu, a black saloon car has suddenly pulled up alongside her, police say.

A man got of the car, and grabbing the girl’s arm, demanded she get into the car. When girl refused the man slapped her head before getting back into the car and leaving

Police say the man was of an unknown age. He was brown skinned and wore a black hoodie.

He was the sole person in a black four-door saloon car, registration unknown.

There was a dog was in the back seat.

"The young girl is extremely shaken and upset by her experience," police say.

"She is receiving counselling and all available assistance from Victim Support and other agencies.

"Police are seriously concerned about the nature of this reported attack."

Anyone with information about the attempted kidnapping is urged to call Kumeu police on 09 412 7756 or Rodney CIB on 09 426 4555. Crime Stoppers is an alternative anonymous option on 0800 555 111.

- © Fairfax NZ News