Police are investigating a report of a boy being approached by a stranger in Ulverstone on Tuesday morning, 19 February 2019, Tasmania Police say.
The 11-year-old was riding his scooter to school and was in the area of Buttons Creek on Eastland Drive about 8am when he was approached by a man not known to him who offered a ride to school. The boy refused and, after a brief confrontation, was able to leave the area without further incident. He received no physical injuries.
Ulverstone Police and Devonport CIB are conducting enquiries into the matter and are requesting assistance from anyone who saw a man in a white sedan or similar in the area of Eastlands Drive, Buttons Creek or Dysons Lane between 7:50am and 8:05am on Tuesday. The sedan is described as having black wheel arch trims which continue under the doors.
Detective Sergeant Luke Bishop said the man was described as being 173 centimetres tall, older with wrinkles, wearing a blue T shirt, red or maroon-coloured tight-fitting trousers and a blue bucket hat with grey and brown trim and a motif of a fish on the front.
Any motorists who travelled this area between these times with dash camera footage are urged to contact Police.
"The youth involved responded exactly as they should have under the circumstances which was pleasing. Incidents such as these are unusual however Police would like to remind parents to be vigilant and reinforce the stranger danger message with their children including what they should do if approached by persons unknown to them," Detective Sergeant Bishop said.
Police have increased patrols around schools and bus stops in the greater Ulverstone area for the time being, particularly around the start and finish of the school day.
Any members of the public who may have information relating to this incident or footage of the area around 8am Tuesday should contact Devonport CIB on 64784036 or 131444 or call Crime Stoppers.
