A youth offending expert says populations of young people are inclined to see robbery as an opportunity rather than something wrong to do.
A boy who attempted to rob a Kaitaia dairy at gunpoint over the weekend was chased from the store by the owner armed with a broom.
Jolene Cartwright says what is shocking is that two boys now charged with aggravated robbery are aged just 12 and 15.
"There are pockets of our society that our young people are raised in that this is normal," she told the Paul Henry programme.
Watch the video for the full interview with Jolene Cartwright.
