POLICE have commenced an investigation after a man allegedly called a child toward his car at Belmont on Sunday, August 4.
Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District were told a vehicle stopped out the front of a home before the driver signalled to a child in the front yard to come towards him.
The child, a nine-year-old boy and student at Belmont Public School, ran inside the property to inform an adult who subsequently contacted police.
Stranger danger awareness has been flung front-of-mind across Hunter schools following the incident with Belmont Public School alerting parents along with images of the vehicle in question.
"This car was later seen near parks and sports grounds in Belmont, Belmont North and Belmont South," the message read.
"The car is described as having multiple colours (possibly signage/company logo) and being white or silver under the colours."
A Department of Education spokesperson said schools routinely repeat their 'Safe People, Safe Places' messages with students, and especially after an incident.
"Belmont Public School reinforced this messaging following the latest incident," they said.
"The student who was approached did all the right things and went straight to a parent, ensuring they remained safe," the spokesperson said.
The Safe People, Safe Places messages for students walking to and from school include:
- Stay in a group
- Don't talk to people you don't know and go straight home or wherever you are going
- If you're frightened, find a safe place like a school, shop or church, tell them you're frightened, and ask them to call police or go to a police station if you see one
- Don't talk to people who pull over to the side of the road in cars
- Never get in a car with someone unless parents or the person responsible for you have told you to
As inquiries into the incident continue, anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
