Children, including a 10-year-old boy, have been captured by Christchurch police after another crime spree across the city.

Chris Lynch Media has learned, one of the offenders, a 14-year-old girl, cut off her ankle bracelet, escaped from her family home, and committed multiple burglaries across the city this week.

The girl and her teen friends were also involved in a hit-and-run in Christchurch.

Christchurch police executed at least three search warrants this morning, looking for other offenders.

A family member of one of the child offenders, who can’t be named for legal reasons, told Chris Lynch they were relieved they’d been caught.

“My worry now is that once they’re released again, they will go straight back to causing trouble.

It’s really hard, there’s just no support out there” the relative said.

The family member said two police officers involved in dealing with the crimes were good to talk to.

“They agreed that the system is f****d and there’s not much they can do, but take the kids home again.”

However, this time around [the teenagers involved in this week’s crime spree] have been sent to Te Puna Wai o Tuhinapo Youth Justice Residence in Rolleston this afternoon.

The 10-year-old boy was been taken back to his family house this afternoon.

The relative said a youth community organisation has offered to “take him in” and support him.

Police confirm arrests

Christchurch Superintendent Metro Commander, Lane Todd confirmed late Thursday afternoon three youths were arrested in relation to the vehicle incident on Centaurus Rd on Tuesday where a cyclist was seriously injured. 

“Police were following positive lines of inquiry as they actively search for a fourth offender in relation to this collision” he said.

No other incidents in relation to youth offending were reported in the city overnight.

However, he said police were continuing to focus on preventing offending, whether car theft, traffic offences, burglaries and/or assaults, holding those responsible to account, and placing them before the Courts where possible.

Todd said “the drivers of offending are often numerous and very complex, and the best solutions require multiple agencies, including police, to work together to find alternative resolutions.

Police are supporting its partners, Oranga Tāmariki and the Ministry of Justice, as they work to address the drivers of this offending by young people.  Police’s role is very clear: we have an obligation to the community, and we will respond, investigate, apprehend, and hold people to account.”

Todd said “interactions with these young people indicate that the vast majority have been involved in some form of family harm and it is almost certain many have been exposed to violence from a young age, as either victims or witnesses.

There continues to be a small portion of young people repeatedly offending and inflicting a large amount of harm, often at more than one location. Their motivation continues to be money, peer pressure and/or social media fame. 

Many are not engaged in education and attendance at school is irregular or difficult to determine. Police continue to ask the community to make contact if they have any information about this ongoing offending and encourage parents or families of those involved to reach out to Police and work through possible solutions to help break the cycle of offending.”

Todd said police would also like to highlight again that the vehicles most commonly being stolen are Toyota Aqua, Nissan Tiida, Mazda Demio and Mazda Atenza. Owners of these vehicles are asked to take extra precautions to keep their vehicles safe. 

This includes simple things such as purchasing a steering wheel lock, removing valuable items, locking your vehicle and parking it in a garage or driveway.”

Oranga Tamarki responds to growing concerns

On Thursday afternoon, Oranga Tamarik Youth Justice Manager Shaun Brown told Chris Lynch the organsiation was working across Government and local community groups to find solutions to youth crime.

“It is a priority for us. We work closely with Christchurch police.

We regularly meet with them, and they are great at sharing information as soon as possible. We continue to look at ways we can work together. 

When a child, between 10 and 14 years old, breaks the law we work with them in a way that carefully considers their age, along with any whānau or other issues that may be affecting their safety and behaviour. 

Brown said “we are also strengthening our prevention mahi, working with children who are known to us.

This is what people in the community don’t get to see, but I would like to reassure them that it is happening.

Young people need to see that there is an alternative pathway to crime, and our role, alongside communities and partner agencies, is to help them find a stable home life, purpose and hope for a better future.”

Police frustrated by limited powers

New Zealand Police Association President Chris Carhill said there were limited powers for police to detain youths in custody.

“Ultimately this is the decision of the Youth Court. However, with limited beds in secure youth facilities, there are very limited options for the courts.

As we know there is pushback about removing children from their families so it is difficult for police to be able intervene if the family cannot take responsibility for the child. The responsibility sits more with Oranga Tamariki than Police.”