Child approach in Maclean not true say police

Police investigating an alleged child approach in Maclean have revealed what really happened Wednesday morning.

Community on high alert following another child approach incident in the Lower Clarence region.

UPDATE, JUNE 3

Police investigating a child approach at Maclean this week have deemed it to be a false report.

A 14-year-old girl told police she was approached by unknown man in a van on Cameron Street yesterday (Wednesday 2 June 2021).

Following inquiries, police can confirm the incident did not occur and the girl has been spoken to.

EARLIER, JUNE 2

Schools and the wider Clarence Valley community have been put on high alert following another child approach incident in the Lower River region.

Coffs-Clarence Police have confirmed that a young girl walking toward Maclean High School was approached by a man driving a van on Wednesday morning.

It’s alleged he asked the girl to get inside the vehicle, but she refused and proceeded to make her way onto school grounds.

Police were contacted a short time later.

There have been a number of child approach incidents, primarily throughout the Lower Clarence region, but it’s not known if each incident is connected.

Last month, students from Iluka Public School were approached by a stranger while they were attending an evening scouts meeting.

Principal Phil Bradmore later commended the students for their actions during the incident in the school’s weekly newsletter.

“The students showed a very sensible attitude and did all the right things in a calm and settled manner,” he said.

“I would encourage parents and carers to please also reinforce child safety messages regularly as part of your family conversations.

“As this happened outside of school hours parents and carers are reminded to please contact the police if you ever have concerns. Unfortunately, this incident was beyond my control.”

Further south, NSW Police appealed for information after a child approach incident in Smith’s Road, Emerald Beach in early May.

According to the police media release, two men in a white van continually drove past two 12-year-old girls continually waving and smiling at them.

The girls became concerned for their safety and sought refuge in a nearby residence before contacting police.

https://www.facebook.com/nswpoliceforce/posts/10158836595676185?__cft__[0]=AZVAQfeXaO8cLt1vFrCFYgRgn05PylbeNa50mPVWbCdQktFj3IYzmTRLgbQ9xjVCop8EueDKcUBljdpdlEAWCEKBM_b923i0gqu9lHg5wVWEqGd3YYX4w0wRtGgWvJVKjOUCPDv3ukpwq1dTdDx_PPp3&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R

In March, a Lower Clarence resident posted on social media that two girls, both aged 11, were approached by two males driving a white van while they were visiting Townsend General Store.

“The men approached the young girls by crossing the road in the van travelling the wrong way.. they opened the sliding door on the side,” the post said.

It’s unclear if the incident was formally reported to police.

Anyone with information about any of these recent incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.