(File photo) Photo: 123RF
Police believe people may have videoed an assault at a Mount Maunganui shopping centre that hospitalised a woman and left shoppers stunned, and are appealing for people who saw the incident to contact them.
The alleged assault at Bayfield Shopping Centre in Mount Maunganui resulted in a young woman being taken away by ambulance shortly after 4.30pm on Friday.
Police said a person received serious injuries in connection to the incident, and on Saturday said the injured woman remained in hospital in a stable condition.
"A 16-year-old female has been arrested and charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and is due to reappear in Tauranga District Court next week".
They want to speak to anyone who saw what happened, or may have filmed the incident.
"Police acknowledge that this incident will have been unsettling and traumatic for staff and shoppers.
"This was a busy time of day at the shopping complex and we know that many people may have video recordings showing the assault and / or the offender."
Information or video can be supplied to police via their 105 phone line or 105.police.govt.nz, using file number 240503/3012, or can be given anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.