Police are appealing for public assistance as they investigate a report that a boy was grabbed by the arm in the street at Murwillumbah last week, NSW Police say.
It was about 1.30pm last Friday (15 July 2016), that a 14-year-old boy was riding his scooter along Murwillumbah Street, near Nullum Street, when a black LandCruiser stopped near him.
The boy has told police that as he went to pass the 4WD, a man in the back seat opened his door, reached out and grabbed his arm.
The boy told police he pulled his arm free and the vehicle drove away.
Police from Tweed/Byron Local Area Command were not alerted until the following day, and an investigation is now underway.
Police are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact them at Tweed Heads Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
The vehicle is described as being a late-model black LandCruiser with a spare wheel on the back but no rear number plate.
The passenger is described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged about 30, with brown hair. At the time the man was wearing a sleeveless red top.
Police are urging anyone who saw the incident to call Tweed Heads Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/
Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Meanwhile, the incident has again prompted police to encourage parents to discuss the ‘Safe People, Safe Places’ messages with their children, including;
• 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 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.
