Police have arrested a number of people in relation to vehicle crime around the Bay of Islands.

Over the last week there have been several theft ex-cars and stolen motor vehicles in the area and Police started an operation to target the offenders.

The operation began following a car that was stolen at Waitangi on Tuesday night.

The car was spotted by Police near Towai and the driver sped off.

Police spiked the car north of Hikurangi, but it continued driving.

Police eventually stopped the car at Whananaki South.

As a result of this incident one 17-year-old man is facing eight charges of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, one charge attempted unlawful taking and a drug charge.

A second 17-year-old man is facing charges of dangerous driving, failing to stop, unlawfully getting into a vehicle and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.

About 12.30am on Wednesday some offenders were seen trying to get into a vehicle near the Opua Marina.

They were disturbed and took off in another stolen vehicle.

The rest is here:

Bay of Islands Police arrest car thieves