About 7pm, a 10-year-old boy was walking out of a public toilet block on Minerva Lane when a man approached and told him to get in his car.

Officers have been told when the boy refused, the man again demanded him to get into his car. The boy ran away towards his parents.

The man was last seen getting into a white Toyota Camry, which drove north along Bonville St.

He has been described as being of Caucasian appearance and aged in his 30s. He was last seen wearing a blue cap, black leather jacket, and jeans.

Police from Coffs/Clarence Local Area Command were notified of the incident and have commenced an investigation.

They are appealing to anyone who may have information about the incident to come forward.

Meanwhile, the incident has again 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.

- 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.