There are calls for tougher penalties on young people who commit criminal offending.
But who are they, and why are they breaking the law?
Police say more than 2000 charges have been filed in the Youth Court this year relating to ram raid and smash and grab style offending in Tāmaki Makaurau and Waikato.
The outgoing Principal Youth Court Judge John Walker says the Youth Court Act states unequivocally that criminal proceedings are to be a matter of last resort, and should not be instituted where there are alternative means of dealing with the matter.
Judge Walker told Māni Dunlop about the backgrounds of our young offenders.
