Recognise, react, report
The dad of Daniel Morcombe gives parents on the Mid north coast some thoughtful advice on how to keep kids safe on the street.
Police throughout the region are concerned about a rise in the number of reports of unaccompanied children being approached by strangers.
There were two incidents last week, one in Nambucca and another in Coffs Harbour.
Last month in Woolgoolga a man in a black van stopped a young boy and tried to entice him in.
Thankfully each time the children ran away and reported the incident to Police.
The parents of Daniel Morcombe, who was tragically abducted and murdered close on a decade ago, says children will be safe if they know the 'recognise, react, report' message.
"Children need to recognise potential danger by recognising their body clues," Bruce Morcombe told ABC Coffs Coast.
"When their feeling nervous, a bit sweaty, that's their body saying they're not in control and they're not sure what's going to happen."
"As soon as they feel that they need to react."
"Run to a safe location and get out of there as quick as they can, and then report to an adult why you felt unsafe."
"To bring it back to reality we tell kids that Daniel felt safe day after day, hour after hour, but within one hour of closing the front door he found himself in a situation he couldn't control," Bruce Morcombe said.
Creating a unique family password us another useful tool which can help children identify which cars are safe.
"The only people that know the password are the special adults who are allowed to pick them up in a car," Mr Morcombe said.
"So if a car was to approach them in the street and the person says 'jump in I'll run you home, mums running late, she asked me to pick you up'; whether you know that person or they're a complete stranger then it's simple."
"If they don't know the password they don't get in the car."
Bruce and Denise Morcombe are currently on a 66 day national tour to encourage parents and kids to learn the personal safety rules.
They will be in Coffs Harbour on August 30 and then travel south to Port Macquarie and Forster the following days.
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