An 11-year-old caught allegedly behind the wheel of a fleeing vehicle has been referred to Youth Aid.

Officers were alerted to the suspected child driver after a police unit, carrying out mobile patrols in Mamaku, west of Rotorua, saw a vehicle hit a road curb about 7.05pm on Friday.

Officers signalled for the vehicle to stop, but instead the driver kept going.

It eventually stopped at a home in the village, says a police spokesperson.

Four other children, all under the age of 10, were found in the vehicle, says police.

The driver was referred to Rotorua Youth Aid services.

The vehicle was damaged from hitting the curb but no one in the vehicle suffered any injuries.

-Stuff.