Gangs of youths a problem on Hamilton streets

Gangs of youths are attacking people on Hamilton's streets, police say.

On Saturday night, a 25-year-old man was stabbed after being chased and beaten by youths. He is in Waikato Hospital with a punctured lung.

On Friday night, a man was taken to hospital with serious eye injuries.

Both attacks were by gangs of youths described by police as Maori and poor.

Senior Sergeant Neil Shaw said the problem centred around a core group of 15-20 youths, with 50-60 associates.