There's fears broadening citizen's arrest powers could endanger young people.

The Government has proposed allowing the arrests at all times of day - and wants to clarify when reasonable force can be applied. 

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said it could allow children to be restrained until police arrive.

Chief Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad says citizen's arrests won't prevent stealing and could lead to violence.

"A number of agencies that have given advice to the Government on this - police, justice, Oranga Tamariki, Crown Law, among others - they've highlighted this risk."

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