Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
A group of young teenagers are in the care of Oranga Tamariki after unsuccessfully trying to goad police into a chase.
Police in Invercargill on Wednesday morning received reports of a group of youths in a potentially stolen vehicle driving erratically.
"The driver of the vehicle was baiting police staff trying to encourage police to chase them and driving in an extremely dangerous manner all over the city," said Inspector Mike Bowman.
"Instead of pursuing the vehicle, police were able to monitor the progress and planned a safe intervention to bring the incident to an end."
The passengers fled on foot, while the driver fled police, crashing shortly afterwards.
"Staff quickly set up cordons in the area and a dog team unit tracked and located" those involved.
"Three 13-year-old youths were spoken to regarding six unlawful takings of motor vehicles," Bowman said.
One has appeared in the Invercargill Youth Court and two have been referred to Police Youth Services.
"The quick work from our staff has resulted in these high-risk offenders being identified and held to account. They were taken into Oranga Tamariki care."
Police believe the group are linked to similar offending around Southland of late.