The growing underbelly of society is thought to be behind a rise in youth crime.

Young people have been involved in a string of shopping mall break-ins between Bay of Plenty and Auckland.

The latest, involved four children aged between seven and 12.

Neuroscience educator Nathan Wallis told Mike Hosking there's a small group of hard core people who commit the crimes.

“There’s normally a lack of parental supervision, there’s usually addiction involved, but it does tend to be the same group of that underbelly of society.”

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