Two people have been arrested after three people were allegedly assaulted during attempted robberies in Matatā on Saturday.

Senior Sergeant Al Fenwick, of Whakatāne Police, said the two people arrested were brothers who had allegedly tried to steal a car using a knife.

Police were called at about 5.50pm on July 25 after two people allegedly assaulted and attempted to rob three different people outside a premises on Arawa Street.

Hato Hone St John said it was notified of the incident at 5.53pm and dispatched a rapid response unit. Ambulance staff assessed one patient at the scene in moderate condition, but no one was transported to hospital.

A post shared to the Matatā Residents Association Facebook page described one of the victims as an older man who was attacked after leaving a dairy.

According to the post, two young men approached the man before assaulting him and attempting to take his vehicle keys.

The man’s son later commented on the post, saying his father remained in hospital with serious facial injuries and would require surgery.

He said another man intervened during the incident and helped his father before staying with him until emergency services arrived.

Police said a youth and a 21-year-old man were arrested and have each been charged with demanding to steal and two counts of assault with intent to injure.

The youth appeared in Whakatāne Youth Court on Monday and is due to reappear at a later date in August.

The 21-year-old appeared in Whakatāne District Court on Monday and is due to reappear on August 18.

In an updated post from Matatā Bluelight Facebook page, the administrator said the youth offender had been granted strict bail conditions, including a curfew, a ban on entering Matatā and a requirement not to contact the victims. The adult offender was remanded in custody.

The post also said the community wished the victims “a speedy recovery” after they were “both physically and mentally affected by this incident”.

Fenwick said, “They’ve been dealt with... there’s no ongoing risk to the public.”