Police have apprehended a raft of young people, aged between 10 and 17 years, over two alleged violent attacks in central Auckland in the weekend
.
The first attack, which occurred at a bottle store on Karangahape road, involved the alleged assault of a staff member by five young people on Friday night.
The group, who are also accused of stealing alcohol from the store, made their way to nearby Myers Park after the robbery, police said.
Four of the five members of the group were then tracked by police staff through CCTV footage.
A 17-year-old girl was arrested and three others - aged 15, 13 and 12 - were referred to Youth Aid in relation to the incident.
Following this, police were called to Myers Park early Sunday morning after the behaviour of a group of young people raised concerns from staff monitoring CCTV at the Auckland District Command Centre.
Inspector Gary Davey, Auckland city police centre prevention manager, said the group were seen hiding behind a large rock near one of the park's pathways about 1.30am.
After confronting a man, who appeared to scare them off because of his large stature, the group targeted a couple in the park.
"What we see then beggars belief in terms of viciousness and the age of those involved," Mr Davey said.
The couple were "brutally attacked by six people," he said.
Five of those believed to be involved, including a 10-year-old boy and two children aged 13 years, were caught by police.
A boy believed to be in his mid-teens managed to escape, Mr Davey said.
A 16-year-old girl was arrested and charged with three counts of assault with intent to rob in relation to the incident.
She is due to appear in the Youth Court, he said.
The other four children have been referred to Youth Aid.
"The fact such young people were out and about on city streets and parks when they should have been in their respective homes, is alarming from a children's care and protection perspective," he said.
"The fact they allegedly participated in such violent offences is even more alarming."
NZH
