Police are investigating what a principal says is a suspected attempted kidnapping, after an unknown man approached a primary school student in Hobart.
In a letter sent to parents on Thursday, the same day as the incident, Hutchins School principal Rob McEwan told staff the man approached the year 3 student around the usual pick-up time of 3:15pm.
He said the stranger was parked at the top of Churchill Avenue near the entrance to the Early Learning Centre "where many students are collected by parents and carers".
Speaking later on Friday, Dr McEwan said the boy had gone to the place where his mum usually picked him up but the car parking area was full so he waited nearby, unaware his mum was just around the corner.
"A person was sitting in a car about three or four cars along the street and noticed him standing there," Dr McEwan said.
"That person left the car, approached the young person and tried to entice him to come into the car with him."
Dr McEwan said the stranger moved away from the boy after he saw a pedestrian approaching.
"The boy quickly came back to the Early Learning Centre and notified his mum by phone, who was very nearby," he said.
Dr McEwan described the young boy and his mum as "remarkable".
"The mum and the young year 3 boy were sensational and remarkably calm under, what I would suggest is a quite stressful and troubling experience," he said.
Dr McEwan said the school passed on the information to police as well as footage of the man and his vehicle.
Tasmania Police confirmed they were investigating and had spoken to a man allegedly involved.
"Police have identified the registered owner of the vehicle allegedly involved and spoken with them as part of ongoing investigations," police said in a statement.
"The parents and school have been updated in relation to this.
"Any further updates will be proactively issued."
'Timely reminder' to students and parents
Dr McEwan said it was a good reminder to have conversations with children about keeping alert.
"Not wearing headphones, for example, staying away from the curbs and just being conscious of any person that they don't know that comes and approaches them, particularly if they're on their own," he said.
Hutchins has also notified local schools of the incident, with nearby Fahan School issuing its own warning to parents.
"Whilst this incident took place at Hutchins, this is a timely reminder to all of our students of the need for vigilance when walking home from school and around the local community, " wrote Fahan principal Meg Lawson.
Separate incident at park on same day
In a separate incident on Thursday, a primary school student at Lenah Valley was approached by an unknown man in a nearby park.
In a letter to parents, principal Jennifer Poynter said the student was playing in John Turnbull Park when a man jumped the fence to enter the playground and "attempted to start a conversation with the student".
"The student did not feel comfortable with this situation, responded politely, and then went straight to his mum," she said.
His mum had seen the entire interaction and informed the principal.
The incident was not reported to police, with Ms Poynter noting that "the man may have been in the park for very legitimate reasons".
She said it was a good reminder to double-check children are aware of the family's safety plan.
