KEY POINTS:
Hastings seems idyllic - surrounded by majestic Hawkes Bay scenery and soaked in sun.
But beneath the picturesque exterior is a sinister undercurrent - because, per capita, Hastings is the youth violence capital of the country.
Last week, the town was catapulted into the headlines after a group of youths allegedly punched, kicked and humiliated a 16-year-old boy in what police described as a "repugnant" attack which was filmed and then posted on YouTube.
Between 20 and 30 youngsters - some as young as 12 - watched as the victim was attacked in a Hastings park on March 30.
"We were number one last year [for youth crime]," Sergeant Dave Greig says. "That's not something to be proud of."
Mr Greig, who is head of youth services at Hastings police, told the Weekend Herald that since 2004 a trend had emerged of more serious violence being committed by younger people.
Other cases this week included an incident in which four Hastings girls allegedly attacked a Napier girl, dragging her by the hair and smashing her head against a wall.
Police said both this and the internet assault were premeditated and they have made arrests. But they are still looking for a teenage boy who allegedly raped a 12-year-old girl at a school.
Yesterday's Youth Court list also gives an idea of the level of youth violence in Hastings.
Rape, wounding with intent, aggravated burglary and aggravated robbery were among the charges, as well as "lesser assaults" - such as the YouTube incident.
"That's a pretty typical Youth Court day for us," Mr Greig said.
Hastings ranked "well ahead" of other centres for youth violence, with 50-60 per cent of Youth Court cases being indictable, or serious matters.
Mr Greig said recent cases had featured a "common theme" - multiple youths targeting a single victim, often someone vulnerable.
The attack on 95-year-old Elsie Jones, who was pushed to the ground by two youths and robbed of $2, is perhaps most well-known.
This week, a 64-year-old woman was subjected to a similar attack. Her glasses were smashed and shoulder broken in the mugging by two teenagers, who laughed as they walked off.
Mr Greig said much of the violence involved the victim being punched to the ground, kicked and stomped.
So why are Hastings youths so violent? Part of the answer may lie in the area's history.
Hawkes Bay is the birthplace of the Mongrel Mob and, although reluctant to blame gangs, Mr Greig said most of the worst youth offenders "classed themselves as gangsters" through affiliations to youth gangs or as prospects for adult gangs. "You're dealing with generations of a culture."
Youth gangs are formed easily and include gangs identified with particular suburbs. Youth crime accounts for 22-25 per cent of crime nationally.
Hastings police are working to get the worst cases transferred to the District Court. Last year they transferred 10 cases resulting in average sentences of 3 1/2 years, rather than the three-month maximum custodial sentence the Youth Court can impose.
Mr Greig said it showed the youth that there were "meaningful consequences" for their actions.
