Initial Police Investigations Suggest no Ongoing Public Risk Following Salonika Street Assaults

The assault is the second in the past week, but Senior Sergeant Cam MacKinnon said both offenders have been apprehended, and Police believe there is no further risk to the public.

On Monday morning, Police were notified of suspicious activity on Salonika Street, near St Joseph's Catholic School, Whakatāne.

Mackinnon said Police were told "a person was reportedly confronting children as they were on their way to school."

The 43 year old man was apprehended and is now facing two charges of assaulting a child.

"The exact extent of the person involved and his motivations are not clear," said Mackinnon. 

Investigations into the incident and extent of the offender's motivations are ongoing but "at this stage Police do not believe it to have been an attempt to abduct anyone or kidnap anyone," he said. 

He clarified the alleged assault was an isolated incident. 

"The public should be rest assured that we have caught the person."

"And we don't believe that there's any further ongoing issue or risk to the public," he said. 

St Joseph’s Catholic School confirmed that its students were involved in the incident.

In a message sent to parents and caregivers, the school said one of its students was biking to school when he was approached by an unknown man who allegedly jumped out and tried to grab him from his bike.

It said the school has spoken to the students involved and is providing support.

“We are also reminding all tamariki about staying aware of their surroundings and travelling in pairs or groups where possible,” the school said.

In its communication to families, the school reinforced several key safety messages:

• Travel with a friend whenever possible
• Stay on well-used routes
• Do not stop for strangers
• Report anything suspicious immediately to a trusted adult

“The safety of our students is our highest priority,” the school said.

Mackinnon assured the community using the footpath to get to school is not unsafe and schools have systems in place to ensure children arrive at school and will notify parents if they haven't.

However, he said the incident demonstrated the importance of parents teaching their children what to do if confronted. 

"They thought that something had occurred, and they reacted, and they told the appropriate people, which enabled us to do our job and find that person."

Mackinnon thanked the public for their cooperation, which allowed them to arrest the offender as soon as possible. 

It follows the arrest of a 34 year old man for a "heinous attack" on Ōhiwa Harbour Road last week. 

The offender appeared in Whakatāne District Court on Friday facing charges of abduction, wounding with reckless disregard and assault with intent to commit sexual violation, indecent assault, and strangulation.

Eastern Bay of Plenty Area Investigations Manager, Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Wilson said Police are offering the victim support. 

Patrols would increase in the area for community reassurance he said. 

Initial investigations "suggest this is an isolated incident, and there is not believed to be any further risk to the public," he said.