Police hunt men after attempted abductions

Police in Auckland and Wellington are hunting men who tried to abduct young girls during the past week.

Yesterday an eight-year-old girl was having trauma counselling after a failed attempt to kidnap her at Kumeu, northwest of Auckland.

Police said a man tried to force the girl into a car as she walked to school, about 7.30am on Monday.

When she resisted, he slapped her on the head before driving off, said police.

The man was described as brown skinned and was wearing black hoodie.

His car was a black four-door sedan and a dog was in the back seat.

The car registration was not known.

Police spokesman Kevin Loughlin said the girl was extremely shaken and upset.

"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.

"Every available resource is being used to identify and locate this man before he tries to abduct or kidnap other girls of a similar age."

In Wellington a bearded middle-aged man, described as having long eyelashes, black-painted fingernails and possibly wearing makeup, tried to abduct a 12-year-old girl in island Bay last Friday.

The girl was on her way to school, shortly before 9am, when the man spoke to her "with sexual overtones", said Detective Sergeant Mike Priston,

He grabbed her arm, but she broke free and fled.

Mr Priston said police were concerned about the man's remarks.

"What we have is an assault, but we have overtones that there's a little bit more to it."

- NZPA