Prebbleton residents surprised over attempted abduction

Prebbleton residents are surprised their quiet little township may have been the scene of an attempted child abduction.

Detectives have been investigating a claim by a local primary school boy that he armed himself with a stick and fought off a would-be abductor in Elmwood Dr at about 5pm on Wednesday.

His parents called the police.

The boy told police the abductor, possibly in his teens, attempted to drag him down the street towards a waiting vehicle.

Police have been asking the public for sightings of a red, four-door sports type vehicle, but at this stage have drawn a blank.

Detective Sergeant Craig Farrant said there had been three calls from members of the public with information but they appeared to be unrelated to the attempted abduction.

He said police were waiting for a report from an interview with the boy carried out by a child specialist, before deciding where to take the investigation.

People in Prebbleton appear to have been taken by surprise over the abduction claim.

When the Selwyn Times canvassed the township yesterday, only one person was aware of the incident.

Prebbleton Preschool staff member Julia Whitley said a couple of parents who live in the area where the attempted abduction allegedly happened were "really concerned".

"We had some parents who live around the area where it happened come in and say 'Have you heard?"' she said.

"People say oh my goodness that's so close to home."

Mrs Whitley said the concerned parents were happy with Prebbleton School's attitude.

"The parents said the school is really up with stranger danger and all that," she said.

"We're always telling the children [at preschool] about safety and dangers in the street and stuff like that," said Mrs Whitley.

Detective Sergeant Farrant said there was no indication of what the motive might have been for the abduction.

"There have been no other reported incidents around that area at all. There's no other evidence at all pointing to this being an ongoing thing or there being a predator on the loose," he said.

"We do not believe there is any cause for residents to be concerned."

Call Detective Sergeant Farrant on 363 7400, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, with any information.