'Victorian Police Investigate Alarming Child Approaches by White Van Drivers

Melbourne authorities are taking action after a series of alarming incidents involving children approached by men in white vans. Four cases have been reported, prompting police to increase patrols around local schools to ensure the safety of children.

P24 News Media

December 05, 2024

1 minute

'Victorian Police Investigate Alarming Child Approaches by White Van Drivers

India

In a worrying trend, police in Melbourne are currently probing four distinct incidents concerning children approached by men driving white vans within the last month. These unsettling encounters occurred in several suburban areas, intensifying concerns among parents and educational institutions.

This week, authorities reported incidents in Boronia and Doncaster, both located in the eastern part of the city. In these occurrences, children were approached while simply walking along the street. Last month also saw troubling reports of attempted child abductions in Blackburn and Tullamarine, further raising alarm.

In response to these incidents, Victoria Police have announced enhanced patrols around various schools in the suburbs of Melbourne. The alarming nature of these attempts has led detectives to look for possible connections between the four incidents, although they currently believe that different suspects may be involved in each case.

The most recent incident transpired on Tuesday, when a young boy was approached by a man in Boronia around 8:30am on Landscape Drive. The boy managed to walk away and promptly informed the local police about the encounter, showcasing a proactive approach to safety.

Earlier, on Monday morning, another unsettling episode involved a 15-year-old girl who was approached by a driver of a white van while walking along Saxon Street in Doncaster at approximately 9:40am. Acting Superintendent Paul Cripps remarked that although the approaches had a seemingly "friendly" demeanor, they were not identical across the board, indicating slight differences in the descriptions and models of the vans involved.

While the similarity in vehicle color raises suspicion, Superintendent Cripps noted that due to the age of the children involved, their descriptions may not be as reliable as those provided by adults.

Authorities are taking these incidents seriously, and Superintendent Cripps highlighted the necessity for increased awareness that some of these alleged offenders might be mimicking each other, although this remains uncertain at this juncture.

To bolster safety measures, the police are collaborating closely with schools in the respective areas of concern to reassure students and parents. Given the proximity of these incidents to school locations, the police are ramping up their presence, particularly earlier in the morning and later in the afternoons when children are most vulnerable.

The echoed sentiment among the police force is that these events are understandably alarming for children, their friends, and the larger school community. It is crucial for parents to remain vigilant but not overly anxious, fostering open discussions about safety with their children in light of these occurrences.

Authorities pointed out that this week's incidents follow two alarming attempts to lure children last month in Tullamarine and Blackburn. On November 18, an 11-year-old boy was approached by a man in a white van around 3:45pm on Halley Street, who claimed his mother had sent him to give the child a ride home. The boy wisely declined the offer, prompting the man to leave the scene.

Moreover, on November 27, a 14-year-old girl faced a similar frightening scenario on Spring Street in Tullamarine, where a man urged her to enter his vehicle at approximately 5:45pm. In a display of quick thinking, she fled to a nearby park, escaping from the potential danger.

Investigations into these troubling incidents are ongoing, and police encourage anyone with pertinent information to reach out to Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.