Victoria Police searching man in van after four attempted child abductions

A 10-year-old boy is the latest child to be approached by a man in a white fan, with his dad revealing the chilling words said to him by the would-be abductor.

Parents have been left reeling after a fourth child was approached by a would-be child abductor in Melbourne in as many weeks.

The latest incident occurred after a man approached a 10-year-old boy in the eastern suburb of Boronia on Tuesday morning.

This follows similar incident in nearby Blackburn on November 18, another suspicious incident in the northwest suburb of Tullamarine on November 27 and a further similar incident in Doncaster on Monday.

At about 8.30am Tuesday a boy on his way to school at Boronia Heights Primary was reportedly approached by a man in a white van.

The 10-year-old’s father told 3AW that a man approached his child and claimed he knew the family.

“G’day mate, I’m a friend of your mother’s, she said I can give you a lift to school,” the man said.

“Police are investigating after a boy was approached by a man driving a white van in Boronia on 3 December,” Victoria Police say.

“The boy walked away and reported the matter to police. The investigation remains ongoing.”

Acting Superintendent Paul Cripps said the behaviour is “very, very concerning” for the community.

“All the children involved in these incidents did the right thing,” he said.

“They didn’t get in the vehicles, they didn’t engage in conversation, they reported it immediately to their teachers or parents, who reported it to us, so we can investigate it.

“We’re encouraging parents to be alert but not alarmed.

“We ask our parents to talk to their children and tell them what to do in these situations.”

A computer-generated image of the man police want to speak to in relation to the Blackburn incident. Picture: Victoria Police

Detectives are investigating following an attempted child stealing in Tullamarine on Wednesday, 27 November. Picture: Victoria Police

The incident comes just one day after a 15-year-old girl fled to a shopping centre after a similar incident.

This incident happened on Saxon Street, Doncaster, about 9.30am on December 2.

“She was approached by a man driving a white van. The man asked the girl to get in the van. The girl ran away to a nearby shopping centre,” Victoria Police said in a statement.

One week ago a man driving a white van approached a 14-year-old girl walking in on Spring Street,Tullamarine, and asked her where she lived and to get in his vehicle.

On November 18 another man tried to abduct an 11-year-old boy while he was walking home on Halley St in Blackburn.

Any witnesses or anyone with information on any of the attempts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

- with NCA Newswire