A spate of smash-and-grabs have rocked Auckland businesses overnight with at least six stores being targeted.
The smash-and-grabs took place across the city with stores in South Auckland, North Shore and central Auckland being hit.
In Takanini a Liquorland store was hit just after midnight on Monday. Police could be seen picking up a hammer and moving empty cigarette draws in the aftermath of the theft.
A spokesperson told Newshub police were called to the store on Great South Road at around 12.13am.
"The store’s glass front was broken and a stolen Mazda Demio was located nearby. Two males aged 15 and 18 will be appearing in Manukau Youth Court today charged with burglary and unlawful gets into a motor vehicle," the spokesperson said.
Across town, Remuera's 'Bottle-O' was also hit, where shattered glass still covers the pavement.
A vape store in Birkenhead was also burgled with police being called to reports of a smash-and-grab at the Vape2Go shop at 3.45am.
Police were also called to a smash and grab on Dawson Road in Clover park and two others - both on Kepa Road in Ōrākei.
It comes as communities across Tamaki Makaurau face a spike in brazen burglaries - including at least four in Saint Heliers in just one week.
Former senior police investigator Richard Middleton said it's going to take an all of Government response to fix the problem.
Middleton spent 33 years in the police force and worked as the national tactical coordinator focusing on preventing crime.
He said lockdown has contributed to the recent spike in youth crime.
"We've got a lot of youth out there that are incredibly bored. They've got nothing to lose, consequences mean nothing to them," he told Newshub.
"A big part of this is notoriety and bragging rights amongst their mates."
Middleton said it will take more than just the police to help end this crime wave.
"They are repeat offenders. Taking them through the youth court is not going to work sadly. It's about changing their behaviours and the only way you can do that is wrap-around services and getting the communities involved," he said.
"Police alone can't do it, and never could. The communities must take some responsibility to put peer pressure on their families and the youth doing it. It needs to be applied through the churches and the local community groups."
