Families may not be the only ones to blame for a rise in youth crime.

There's been a string of retail robberies. with the latest involving four children aged between seven and 12, who were found by police holding stolen toys in a Hamilton mall early yesterday morning.

The 11-year-old fell eight metres as they tried to run off, hurting their arm.

Glen Innes Family Centre manager, Chris Makoare told Roman Travers the child may be led astray by an older relative or friend.

He says someone else is influencing that child, because not every family has no values in the home.

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