Four young people have been apprehended after police received reports of a passenger appearing to hold a driver at knifepoint in Waikato.

The incident occurred yesterday afternoon in Hamilton.

The vehicle was located in Dinsdale but failed to stop for police.

Acting Waikato District prevention manager Inspector Scott Miller said the driver ignored police instructions to stop and “began swerving across the road, speeding up and slowing down to avoid police”.

Police deployed tyre deflation devices to slow the vehicle, which drove down a one-way street in Nawton and finally came to a stop.

The four occupants of the vehicle fled but were quickly apprehended by police units on the scene.

Miller said police inquiries found the youths were “all known to each other” and there was no threat of violence made to anyone inside the vehicle.

The vehicle was driven by the registered owner’s son.

Miller said the youths were “lucky” no serious injuries occurred.

“We are particularly thankful to members of the public for reporting this suspicious behaviour that ensured we were alerted and no further harm was caused.”

The four youths have been referred to Youth Aid.