Oranga Tamariki says it is working closely with police to find the three youths. File photo. Photo: RNZ
Oranga Tamariki is searching for three young people who ran away from a youth home in Auckland yesterday.
The agency says it was alerted by the one of its contracted providers after the trio left a community based remand home about midday on Tuesday.
Family and community homes manager Natalie Richardson said Oranga Tamariki was working closely with police to find the three youths, two of which were on remand, and the other under a care and protection custody order.
"When young people abscond from these homes, we assess their circumstances to determine the most appropriate placement moving forward," she said.
"If their actions pose a risk to themselves or the community, they may be placed in secure residences."
Richardson said community-based remand homes were made to resemble the youths' neighbourhoods, and provide an alternative to secure residences for first-time or low-level offenders.
"Oranga Tamariki remains committed to working with our partners to provide safe, supportive environments for young people, and we will continue to review and strengthen our expectations to ensure these standards are upheld," Richardson said.
While most young people in community-based remand homes were compliant with placement rules and successfully transition out after their court proceedings, incidents like this were concerning, Richardson said.
"We expect our partners to maintain robust systems and practices to ensure the safety and supervision of the young people in their care."
Acting Inspector Tim Williams, from Waitemata police, confirmed police were aware of the incident.
"Inquiries are now underway to locate these people."
Williams said for legal reasons no further information could be released about the young people.
He said police would work with Oranga Tamariki while investigating.
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