Police are appealing for witnesses after three young children were approached by a suspicious couple in Colyton last night.
About 8pm yesterday, three siblings – a nine-year-old boy and his two sisters, aged 12 and 11 – were riding scooters near their Colyton home.
Police have been told a white vehicle approached the children while they were riding along Carpenter Street. Its occupants, a man and woman, yelled out to them but continued driving.
The siblings continued riding their scooters; however, when they were on Cooinda Street the car returned and stopped near them.
Police have been told the woman, who was the front passenger, got out of the car and attempted to grab the girls.
They screamed and the couple fled in the vehicle.
Police from St Marys Local Area Command were alerted to the incident and commenced inquiries, including conducting a canvass of the surrounding area for potential witnesses.
The female offender has been described as being aged in her 40s and with orange shoulder-length hair.
The children were only able to tell police the man had short hair, a slight beard and was wearing a black shirt.
The car is a white Subaru Forrester.
The incident has prompted police to again 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.
• 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.
Anyone with information about this incident should call St Marys Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
