Police looking for man who approached boy in Queenstown

At about 1:00pm today (08/01/2010) a 13yr old boy, skateboarding outside the Alpine Aqualand building on Joe O'Connell Drive, Frankton, near Queenstown, was approached by a man driving a white Van, similar to a Toyota Hi-Ace or Mitsubishi Delica, who made an indecent suggestion.

The boy, who was shaken but otherwise unharmed, went into the Aqualand Centre where he spoke with an adult who contacted Police.

The driver of the van is described as being a white man, aged between 30 - 40yrs with oily short brown hair and brown eyes. The man had an unshaven and unclean appearance, with noticeably crooked and stained front bottom teeth and was described as being skinny with a prominent scar running up his right forearm from above the wrist towards his elbow.

The van is described as being quite modern and tidy with tinted windows at the sides.

The Van was seen to turn left onto State Highway 6 heading towards Frankton after the encounter.

Sgt Brian Cameron of Queenstown said "It is fortunate that this young man had the presence of mind to walk away from the situation. It is a reminder of the importance for parents to explain to children who are going out by themselves of how best to react to such incidents - don't become involved in conversation but find the nearest trusted adult and remember as much detail as you can."

Police are asking for any witnesses to the incident or anyone who thinks they may know the identity of the man involved to contact Detective Lisa WATT of Queenstown Police at 03 441 - 1600.