Source: Radio New Zealand
A police complaint has been laid about the alleged incident at Pt Erin Pools in Herne Bay. (File photo) Google Maps
Two teenagers were allegedly indecently assaulted at a public pool in Auckland this week, sparking a police investigation.
The pair were approached at the Pt Erin Pools in Herne Bay and had laid a complaint with police, Detective Senior Sergeant Vanessa Pratt said.
“We are in the process of speaking further with the young people to understand what has occurred and supporting them through the process,” she said.
“Inquiries are being made with staff working at the facility.”
Police were urging anyone who might have been at the pools on Tuesday and saw a man acting suspiciously to get in contact.
Know more? Email finn.blackwell@rnz.co.nz
Meanwhile, a parent of one of the boys told RNZ they had been told not to return to the pools for their own safety.
He said the lifeguard who was at the scene did not intervene.
“I feel so let down, to a point that, there’s nothing I can do…”
Auckland Council’s head of service partner delivery for pools and leisure, Garth Dawson, sincerely apologised to the boys involved and their families for the distressing experience.
“The council takes all reports of unacceptable behaviour seriously and is supporting the pool operator, Community Leisure Management (CLM), in their cooperation with the police inquiry,” he said.
Dawson said they would work closely with CLM to implement any improvement identified in the investigation to stop something like this happening again.
CLM’s general manager of marketing & business development Tom Mann said staff on the day reported no unusual behaviour, and were at no time required to intervene.
“We work hard to ensure our facilities are safe and welcoming spaces for all to enjoy,” he said.
“We’ll continue to work closely with the police and family as the matter is investigated.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
