Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Update to the Palmerston North Incident

Update to the Palmerston North Incident

Attributable to Inspector Sarah Stewart, Manawatu Area Commander:

Firstly, Police would like to reiterate that Shekinah is now safe and with her family who are relieved to have her back.

Police are continuing to support Shekinah and her family, and will work with them while we continue our investigations

Understandably, police need to make sure we respect the privacy of the family, and ensure their welfare due to the young age of Shekinah.

Police will not be saying anything further on Shekinah, apart from to say she is safely back with her family.

Police would like to reassure the community that we have an experienced and capable team of over 30 officers and detectives who have been working, and will continue to work, on this incident.

We’d like to thank the public for their support so far and we ask for their continued help in order to locate the male and the vehicle involved.

Situations like this very rarely occur in New Zealand and we are thankful Shekinah has been found safe by a member of the public.

In terms of what has occurred this morning, Shekinah was pulled into a white vehicle by a male at approximately 8.30am today while she was walking to school on Shamrock Street* with two others.

When police were alerted, we launched a number of area searches across the Palmerston North area, which included aerial support.

Shortly after 11.00am, Police received a phone call from a member of the public in Hind Place who reported Shekinah had been dropped off in the area and found by another member of the public.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

Police have not yet identified the male or the make/model of the vehicle he was driving, apart from confirmation that the vehicle was a white sedan.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who saw a male driving a white sedan in the Shamrock Street surrounds at approximately 8.30am this morning, and then again in the Hind Place surrounds at approximately 11.00am today.

Those people who live in the area may have noticed this male or vehicle as it could have seemed out of place.

Police are very keen to hear from anyone in the wider Hind Place area who may have seen Shekinah being dropped off by man in a white vehicle.

People would have noticed a 5 year-old being left by herself on the side of the road.

Anyone with information can contact their local police station.

Information can also be provided anonymously via the organisation Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.