Young criminals will now have a support plan put in place within 48 hours of offending.

The Government is launching a  $2 million youth crime package to fund locally-led solutions in Auckland, Waikato, Northland and Bay of Plenty.

A new, fast-tracked intervention approach will be taken for children aged 10 to 13 - dubbed serious or persistent offenders.

Youth worker Aaron Hendry told Tim Dower it's important children who offend get support as soon as possible.

He says they need to be told the repercussions of what they've done and how it will be dealt with it.

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