The boy was walking west along a footpath on Woodland Avenue when a man yelled out to him from a red-coloured van at 3pm, police said.

The van stopped across the road from the footpath and the male driver again yelled out to the boy before driving off.

When he arrived home the boy told his mother what had happened and she contacted police.

Police would like to speak to a man described as being of Caucasian appearance, with a tanned complexion, about 35 years of age, with a beard and dark brown hair.

He was last seen wearing a faded blue-coloured t-shirt and he had a small hoop earring in his left ear.

Police said the van was described as having damage to the driver’s door, the side mirror was broken, and there was a yellow sticker on the vehicle with writing on it.

The interior of the van was described as being black and red striped.

Anyone with information is urged to call police.

The incident prompted police to encourage parents to discuss the ‘Safe People, Safe Places’ messages with their children, including;

- Make sure your parents or another adult you know knows where you are at all times;

- Always walk straight home or to the place you are walking to. Walk near busier roads and streets, or use paths where there are lots of other people;

- Know where safe places are– a shop, service station, police station, library or school. If you are ever frightened, you should go to one of these places and ask them to call the police;

- Learn about safe adults you can look for and talk to if you need help– police officers, teachers at school, adults you know and trust;

- Don’t talk to people you don’t know and never get into a car with someone you don’t know. If a car stops on the side of the road and you don’t know the person inside, do not stop;

- If you are scared and can use a phone, call 000 and tell them you are scared; and

- If someone tries to grab you, yell out, ‘Go away, I don’t know you’. This lets other people know you have been approached by someone you don’t know.

Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000