Two girls have been charged with mugging passengers and stealing their mobile phones on a frequently used Auckland bus route.

The girls, aged 13 and 14, allegedly stole two passengers’ phones on route 70 about 11am yesterday. They allegedly tried robbing another person on the same bus route on Saturday.

In the most recent incident, a male associate allegedly assaulted a third person who tried to intervene.

All three alleged offenders fled the bus as police were called. Inspector Rakana Cook said police found and arrested them in the East Tāmaki area.

Police charged the two girls with two counts of aggravated robbery. The second charge relates to the October 5 incident.

A 15-year-old boy, the girl’s alleged accomplice, has been charged with aggravated assault.

Rakana said: “In one instance yesterday, one of the victims suffered a black eye after being needlessly assaulted.

“There is no place for this violence in our community whatsoever.

“I’d like to acknowledge our frontline, CIB and Youth Aid staff for their work in bringing about charges against these three.”