Auckland police found nearly 2000 unsupervised youths out on the streets after 9pm during an operation to target youth crime.
Inspector Brett England says Operation Youth Safety, carried out over four nights last week, is aimed at reducing youth crime in Auckland and keeping children safe.
He says the majority of the youths were deemed safe, but nearly 300 were found in what he calls at-risk situations and were taken home to their parents.
England says most of the parents were unaware their children were out and some did not care.
He says a small number of the young people have been referred to the Children Young Persons and their Families Service because police are not satisfied their homes are safe.
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