Seven youths in custody after fleeing from police in east Auckland

3:39 pm today
police car at night in street

Police say seven youths, aged 11 to 15, were taken into custody after the incident. Photo: 123RF

Seven youths are in custody after fleeing from police in a stolen car in east Auckland early on Tuesday.

Inspector Rakana Cook said officers spotted a suspicious vehicle in Panmure just before 2.30am this morning and when they signalled for it to stop it took off at speed.

The Eagle helicopter then tracked the vehicle allowing police units on the ground to use road spikes to stop it, he said.

The vehicle's seven occupants then took off into the bush but had to return when faced with a high fence they could not climb and were taken into custody, he said.

The alleged offenders are aged from 11 to 15.

The 15-year-old is due to appear in Manukau District Court on Tuesday charged with unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle and escaping custody.

Police said youth aid files were being prepared for the other six.