Police are investigating after a boy was approached at Lake Cathie on Thursday.
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A nine-year-old boy was walking along Ocean Drive, near the intersection of Earnest Street, Lake Cathie, when a white Toyota 4WD approached him around 3.15pm Thursday
Police have been told the male driver of the Toyota spoke to the boy, asking him to get into his car.
The boy ran from the scene and alerted his mother, who contacted police.
The car was seen heading south.
Police would like to speak to a man who may be able to help. He is described as being aged in his early 40s, tall, and with a grey goatee.
The vehicle in the incident is described as a new white Toyota 4WD, possibly a Hilux model, with a canopy, and a blue zig-zag sticker with numbers over the front wheel arch.
It’s believed the vehicle may have Queensland registration plates decorated with palm trees.
Meanwhile, the incident has again prompted police to encourage parents to discuss safety with their children.
The ‘Safe People, Safe Places’ message
- Make sure your parents or another adult you know knows where you are at all times.
- Always walk straight home or to the place you are walking to. Walk near busier roads and streets, or use paths where there are lots of other people.
- Know where safe places are – a shop, service station, police station, library or school. If you are ever frightened, you should go to one of these places and ask them to call the police.
- Learn about safe adults you can look for and talk to if you need help – police officers, teachers at school, adults you know and trust.
- Don’t talk to people you don’t know and never get into a car with someone you don’t know. If a car stops on the side of the road and you don’t know the person inside, do not stop.
- If you are scared and can use a phone, call 000 and tell them you are scared.
- If someone tries to grab you, yell out, ‘Go away, I don’t know you’. This lets other people know you have been approached by someone you don’t know.