Warning after boy, 14, in alleged knifepoint robbery

An alleged knifepoint robbery by a 14-year-old boy has prompted a top Far North cop to remind parents they need to know where their children are and what they are doing.

Senior Sergeant Brian Swann, of Kaikohe police, said two offenders armed with a knife robbed the Okaihau liquor store on Thursday night, taking a small amount of cash and cigarettes. One offender, aged 14, was caught and would appear in the Kaikohe Youth Court.

The alleged robbery came after two serious incidents involving children or youths using air rifles in Kaikohe in the past two weeks.

In the first a postal worker was taken to Whangarei Hospital after she was shot in the stomach while delivering mail on Guy Rd. In the second incident a number of youths were apprehended after they shot at the windows of houses.

Mr Swann told Kaikohe's Community Watch group that such incidents were treated seriously.

"I'd like to remind everyone that air rifles are not toys and that it's an offence for anyone under 18 to be in possession of an air rifle without a firearms licence," he said.

"Air rifles should be secured well away from children and parents may well face charges themselves if they allow children unsupervised access to weapons."

Youths were also thought to be responsible for a spate of offences around the Caltex service station on lower Broadway, including thefts, vandalism and an attempted arson.