KEY POINTS:
Police in Blenheim were shocked when they pulled over a car being driven erratically and found a 12-year-old boy in the driver's seat.
They were even more shocked to find not only was the car being driven by a child, it was stolen.
The incident was one of two within a week in Blenheim involving young teenagers stealing cars.
In the other, a 13-year-old boy was referred to youth aid after stealing two cars on two separate occasions and damaging cars at a car yard.
Youth Aid officer Sergeant Tony Yardley said the incidents were of serious concern to police because the boys were not capable of driving properly, and were putting themselves and others at risk.
"We're concerned about their age and the fact that they were driving when they didn't have the skills.
"They were both putting people at risk because their skill levels are not at the level they should be."
Despite these concerns, Mr Yardley said generally, Blenheim kids were "great".
"These do appear to be one-off incidents, just in very close proximity to each other," he said.
Both boys had been referred to youth aid, as had the three teenage passengers of the 12-year-old driver.
- NZPA
