Photo: RNZ
Police say three youths who escaped Oranga Tamariki community remand homes in Auckland two days ago are still missing.
Oranga Tamariki said six young people absconded from the homes in two separate, unrelated incidents on 8 April.
Family and community homes manager Natalie Richardson said no one was injured during the escapes and three of the youths have since been located.
In an update this morning, police told RNZ the remaining three escapees were still missing.
Richardson said the community-based homes were designed to be an alternative to the secure residences for first-time or low-level offenders, "helping young people avoid negative aspects of facilities such as being influenced by other young people who have offended and the impact of more intensive institutionalisation".
She said most young people could abide by the conditions of their remand and transition out of these homes.
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