10-year-old in group caught after park attack

File photo / NZ Herald

Police investigating the actions of a group of youths as young as 10 who were arrested over two violent attacks in central Auckland will be "looking hard" at their parents, a former cop and children's advocate says.

Around nine youths, aged between 10 and 17, were taken in by police in relation to the assaults in Myers Park and on Karangahape Rd over the weekend.

Rod Bell, chief executive of Blue Light, said while the incident "seems crazy" the focus would be as much on the parents of the young people as the kids themselves.

"The question has to be asked what anybody, even as young as 16, is doing out at 1.30am, let alone the younger ones, and the influence of the older ones with them, and obviously alcohol in relation as well to this," the retired police sergeant said on Newstalk ZB this morning.

The Child and Young Persons Act had "some really good and strong powers" to deal with youth offending, he said.

"A 10-year-old actually can be arrested, which I think might surprise a lot of people," Mr Bell said.

"They can't be charged at that age, but there's still matters that can be dealt with through the Family Court for them and the family to be held responsible.

"I know from my time in the police that the police will be looking at the parents -- probably as hard, if not harder -- than they will be looking at [the children], especially the younger ones."

Despite being involved in violence at such a young age, it was not too late for the children to turn their lives around, he said.

"I don't think anybody's lost," Mr Bell said.

"It obviously is a real concern, and I think what it shows is the importance of the work with kids younger and younger."

Youth crime had reduced greatly over the years, he said, and "most young people are achieving some amazing things".

"But if we don't address it younger and younger, the ones that especially go down this track of violence, it's harder to turn that tide with them."

The first of the two weekend attacks, which occurred at a bottle store on K' Rd, involved the alleged assault of a staff member by five young people on Friday night.

They were also accused of stealing alcohol from the store.

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.

Early on Sunday morning, police were called to Myers Park after a group of six young people allegedly conduced a "vicious" and "brutal" attack on a couple.

Five of those believed to be involved, including a 10-year-old boy and two children aged 13, were taken in by police.

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. The other four children have been referred to Youth Aid.