Police investigating report of 'attempted child abduction' near Lake George

Mounties say 10-year-old girl was approached on Thursday morning by 3 men in a white van

Police are investigating a report of an attempted child abduction in the Lake George area of New Brunswick, just under 50 kilometers from Fredericton.

A news release from the New Brunswick RCMP said the incident reportedly happened on Thursday morning, between 10:45 and 11:05 a.m., on Sunset Cove Lane near Ewart Hyde Road.

The statement said officers spoke with "several witnesses" as part of their investigation including the youth involved.

"The investigation has determined that a 10-year-old girl was approached by three men travelling in an older-model white passenger van," the news release said.

The Mounties said the child described the van as "having rust along the bottom and front, scratches on the rear driver’s-side door," a Nova Scotia licence plate where the last two digits are "believed to be '28,'" and several stickers on the licence plate with one "depicting a dog."

The men were described as white, English-speaking, and wearing black balaclavas and dark-coloured t-shirts.

"One of the suspects was described as having a skull tattoo on the inner part of his right forearm, with lines extending up his arm from the tattoo," the release said.

"One of the men allegedly opened the sliding door of the van and attempted to coax the child into the vehicle. The child was able to get away safely and was not physically injured."

The release said the car was gone by the time RCMP were on scene.

In an interview with CBC News, RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Luc Picard would not confirm whether any witnesses saw the men approach or interact with the child.

"As a precaution we encourage parents and guardians to speak with their children about personal safety," Picard said.

Picard said he was unable to provide any information beyond the news release, citing the ongoing investigation.

"We are actively looking for this van," Picard said.

"Come forward with any information. If you've seen that van, if you have any video footage that can help the investigation."

Officers are asking anyone with dashcam or surveillance footage from the area, as well as anyone who witnessed suspicious activity, to contact the Keswick RCMP detachment at 506-357-4300.

Savannah Awde is a reporter with CBC New Brunswick. You can contact her with story ideas at savannah.awde@cbc.ca.