Police find 12-year-old joyriding with mates

Taranaki police were shocked to discover a driver of a car they had chased at speeds of more than 100kmh was only 12-years-old.

The boy had taken the family car and had been joyriding with four friends when police spotted the vehicle in Waitara being driven without lights about 9:45pm on Thursday, the Taranaki Daily News reported.

Constable Kane Moses of Waitara police said the driver put his foot down and sped away when police approached.

"He went straight through a give-way sign and was almost hit by a four-wheel-drive."

The boy reached speeds of 110kmh and stopped only when the car hit loose gravel .

Four other youths of the same age were in the car. The boy will be dealt with by police youth aid.

- NZPA