Police say a combined effort with the community has resulted in the arrest of six youths in relation to serious offending around Hawke's Bay in recent weeks.

Police today arrested those allegedly responsible for the attack on a young male and female as they walked through Windsor Park in Hastings on Monday afternoon. The young male received facial injuries in the attack.

Three Hastings youths aged 14, 15 and 16 will be appearing in the Hastings Youth Court today charged with injuring with intent to injure. A 13-year-old boy has also been referred to Police Youth Aid for his alleged part in the attack.

Two brothers aged 12 and 15 have also been arrested today in Napier in relation to a number of incidents in the city over the last few weeks. The 15-year-old will be appearing in the Napier Youth Court today on charges of theft, receiving, failing to stop and careless driving, while his 12-year-old brother has been referred to Police Youth Aid for his alleged part in the offending.

Hawke's Bay Police Prevention Manager Inspector Andy Sloan said police were very pleased with the arrests, which were the result of strong community partnerships and an increased police presence in problem areas.

'Over the last two weeks we have increased our police patrols in specific areas in an effort to deter youth crime and to make it known that we are taking these offences seriously. We've had high visibility in the community and that in itself is a key to preventing more crime from happening.

'But youth crime is a community issue and we are pleased that some people have come forward and given us important information that has helped us find these alleged offenders. Police cannot solve this problem alone and we work closely with our schools, partner agencies and the community to try to tackle the problems around young people committing crime."

Source: New Zealand Police.