Investigations are continuing into the abduction and sexual assault of an 11-year-old boy in Ranui on Thursday 17 November 2016.
Waitakere Area Commander Inspector Scott Webb would like to once again thank the community for the information they have provided and continues to ask anyone who believes they can assist police to contact us.
“We appreciate the high-level of interest in this case however we are still not in a position to provide any update while enquiries are on-going. We are dealing with a highly sensitive matter and it may take some time to complete formal interviews. We continue to support the victim and his family.”
“We also would like to assure the West Auckland community that we have increased our police patrols around schools in the Swanson and Ranui areas and are making sure our staff continue to be highly visible across the district. There is a number of detectives working on this active investigation, including staff from our Child Protection Sex offender Register team and other detectives,” says Mr Webb.
“The Ranui Neighbourhood Policing Team has been actively involved in this investigation carrying out area enquiries and speaking with members of the public.”
“We have received numerous phone calls in the last week however we are still appealing for any sightings of a grey van, the boy and anyone acting suspiciously in the vicinity of Metcalf Rd and Swanson Rd at about 4.15pm last Thursday. Any smart phone footage or CCTV footage from the area last Thursday would also be valuable," says Mr Webb.
We are aware that there has been at least two other reports of children being approached in Waitemata. We have no evidence at this stage to suggest they are linked however the investigations are in their early stages.
Meanwhile if anyone has information that can assist with the investigation please contact Detective Senior Sergeant Jason McIntosh on 021 191 2659 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Shelley Nahr/NZ Police
Media are asked to keep the DSS McIntosh’s line free for operational and witness calls.
Any questions from media should be directed to the Police Media Centre.
Inspector Scott Webb is unavailable for any interviews this afternoon.