29 Nov 2019

Teenager arrested over Auckland walking track attacks

2:40 pm on 29 November 2019

Police have arrested a 17-year-old man in connection with a spate of attacks on women out exercising on Auckland's North Shore and in West Auckland.

Dan Jones Bluff on the North Shore city cliff top walkway

One of the walkways where the women were attacked Photo: RNZ / Liu Chen

He faces three charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and he is also charged with assault with intent to injure and assault with intent to commit sexual violation.

The charges relate to five incidents between August and November, three of which occurred on Auckland's North Shore and two in West Auckland.

Detective Senior Sergeant Callum McNeill from Waitemata CIB said the investigation was ongoing and police could not rule out the possibility of further charges.

"We want to thank the public for the information they've provided to police throughout our investigation," he said in a statement.

"We know these incidents have caused significant concern in these communities and our team of detectives have been working hard to hold the alleged offender to account."

The man will appear in the Youth Court tomorrow.