Two 16-year-old males have been arrested in relation to a paintball attack on a pedestrian in Christchurch early on Saturday afternoon.

The 17-year-old was hit with several paint ball rounds and sustained injuries to her body and face.

She was left traumatised, and after the attack police said she was afraid of walking around by herself and was very emotional.

At the time, police said the young woman was crossing at the lights on Cranford St, Papanui at about 12.55pm, when a blue or green people mover-style vehicle drove over the stop line, forcing her to walk around.

The occupants, two males aged between 16 and 18, laughed at her as she walked past.

She continued to walk down Innes Rd and the vehicle followed her, slowing down as it approached.

"The passenger of the vehicle pulled out a paintball gun and fired about eight paint balls at the female,'' police said.

"Several shots hit the female on the back at close range and one shot hit her in the face as she turned to see what was happening.''

She suffered a badly swollen lip and injuries to her back as a result.

Tonight police said in a statement that they had arrested two teenagers and charged them with "Assault with an airgun''.

One of the males appeared in the Christchurch Youth Court today, and the second will appear in the same court on Tuesday 8 May.

Police thanked the public, and said the arrests were directly due to the public's response from the story.

- APNZ