The police in Ashburton are appealing for information following the attempted abduction of a young girl on Tuesday afternoon.
Detective Leigh Jenkins said an eight-year-old girl was approached by a man in Harrison Street at about 4.15pm.
He said the man attempted to drag the girl into a dark green car, parked on the corner of Harrison and Smitheram streets.
The girl broke free from the man's grip and ran home, and while not injured, was shaken by the incident.
Mr Jenkins said the police want to hear from anyone who was around the Allenton shopping centre and may have seen the incident, or saw a dark green car acting suspiciously.
