Parents in Cashmere are being urged to keep their children safe following a concerning incident.

Thorrington School Principal Juliana Rae emailed parents on Wednesday morning, saying, “An incident in the Bowenvale Ave area yesterday has raised safety concerns about children walking home from school.

“At 4 pm, a black car with tinted windows approached two children who were walking home.

“The occupants approached the children and demanded that they get into the car. The children sought help from a neighbour. This was a frightening incident for the children concerned.

“Please ensure you have safe travel plans for your children to and from school and remind them about stranger danger. If your children walk unsupervised, the best time to do this is when the school day ends, between 3.00 and 3.15pm,” Rae said.

“Our School Travel Plan suggests the possibility of walking school buses to support children walking to and from school. If you would like to support a walking school bus, the Christchurch City Council is available to help interested parents get underway. Please complete the survey below, and the school will organise a meeting with Council staff.”

A police spokeswoman confirmed to chrislynchmedia.com that they were “making enquiries following a report of two people telling two children to get into a car in Cashmere yesterday.

“Two people, who were unknown to the children, reportedly drove past in a car, then turned around and stopped near the children, telling them to get in the car.

“The children ran to a nearby house to seek help. The car is described as a black hatchback, which was last seen heading towards Centaurus Road.

If anyone has information which might help our enquiries into this matter, please contact Police via 105 and quote event number P060596053.”