Police have revealed the simple way a young girl managed to avoid a potential kidnapping.

The 11-year-old was walking near a park when a man, driving a white sports utility vehicle, pulled up alongside her.

He then told the girl that her brothers were seriously injured and she needed to go with him.

But instead of doing just that the young girl asked the man if he knew the "code word".

He didn't - so he drove off.

It later emerged that the code word was decided between the girl and her parents in the event that someone other than them had to pick her up.

The incident happened in Pinal County, Arizona, on November 7.

“Kudos to the parents of this child for having a code word and talking about to their children about stranger danger,” said Sheriff Mark Lamb.


Children in the neighbourhood say they have seen the vehicle circle the park several times a day.

The man covered most of his face with his hand while talking to the girl to conceal any identifying features.

He is described as a white male, possibly in his 40s, with a short beard.