Police 'dismayed' at age of criminals

Police say they are dismayed at the ages of people committing crimes after three teenage girls were arrested following a crime spree in Grafton.

Three teenaged girls wearing Auckland Hospital pyjama pants were arrested shortly after they boarded a southbound train in Grafton last evening.

Police received two reports of aggravated robberies in close proximity - Khyber Pass Rd and Carlton Gore Rd - at about 7pm.

Inspector Jill Rogers says during the first incident a 17-year-old woman was allegedly assaulted and had her mobile 'phone and wallet stolen.

"A short time later a 29 year-old woman who was jogging along Carlton Gore Rd was confronted by three young women who pulled her to the ground, assaulted her and made off with her head phones.

"Thanks to our close working relationship with Auckland Transport CCTV camera operators, we became aware of the incidents and were able to identify the likely offenders who got on a train.

"Staff were promptly deployed to the next station and, when they boarded, arrested the three pyjama pant clad teens, allegedly in possession of items stolen from the two victims."

The 18-year-old has been charged with two counts of aggravated robbery and will appear in the Auckland District Court on June 26. Her 15 and 13-year-old associates were taken home by police and have been referred to Youth Aid.

"When young people choose to engage in illegal behaviour, they set themselves on a dangerous path that has long term consequences for their quality of life.

"I'm dismayed at the ages of some of the offenders we're encountering who are allegedly involved in serious offending." Rogers said.