Calgary police are urging parents to talk to their children about personal safety after a girl was beckoned to a vehicle by a man in the city’s southwest.

Police say a teenaged girl was walking her dog near Woodfield Rd and Woodpark Blvd. S.W. at about 6 p.m., on Tuesday, October 9, 2012, when a truck pulled up and the driver demanded that she get in the truck.

The girl ran away and reported the incident to her family, who then called police.

The driver of the vehicle is described as:

  • Male
  • 45 to 55 years old
  • Brown hair
  • Wearing a brown shirt

The truck is described as:

  • Dark-coloured pickup truck
  • Carrying a black toolbox with white writing on it

Investigators say that there was also a small grey dog in the cab of the truck.

Police have a few tips for parents on what to do if their children are approached by a stranger:

  • A stranger is any person your child doesn’t know. Children should be taught to never accept gifts, food or toys from a stranger, and to never go anywhere with someone they don’t know.
  • It’s a good idea to create a safe code word that only you and your child know and tell them that if they send someone to pick them up, they will use the code word.
  • Let your children know that strangers might ask them to help find a lost animal or item. Children should be taught that this could be suspicious, and to trust their instincts. If the situation seems wrong, it probably is. They have the right to refuse to help a person they don’t know.
  • Your child should know his or her full name, address and phone number, including the area code. Your child should also know to dial 9-1-1 to contact police, fire and EMS in an emergency.
  • When kids go out, they should always use the buddy system and play with friends instead of playing alone.
  • Show your child safe places in your neighbourhood where they can go for help - a neighbour’s house or a trusted friend, someone who your child knows.

Police are asking anyone with information on this incident to contact then at 403-266-1234, or Crime Stoppers anonymously using any of the following methods:

TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: tttTIPS.com
TEXT: tttTIPS to 274637