A major change to social attitudes may be needed, to stem the current spate of youth crime.

Two young people have been arrested, after at least 30 teenagers attacked a shop worker in Palmerston North.

The owner of another store has told Newstalk ZB they've also been terrorised by the same group.

Retail NZ Chief Executive Greg Harford told Mike Hosking says violent youth crime is becoming more common, and part of the culture.

He says we're seeing the result of years of ingrained behaviour, encouraged by watching unpunished criminal activity in movies and online.

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