Police failed to appropriately prioritise reports that two young children had been assaulted at Westfield Belconnen, an internal review has found.

Police received two triple zero calls after a man allegedly knocked over both children and kicked one of them as they walked through the shopping centre with a family member on August 14. One child was taken to hospital.

However, police did not begin investigating until August 16, when an 18-year-old man was arrested and charged with common assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Police subsequently apologised to the family and launched a review of their response.

The review found the incident was not appropriately triaged or prioritised and did not receive the timely police response it warranted.

It also identified shortcomings in training and call-taking processes at the police Communications Centre, particularly in assessing, escalating and prioritising incidents.

Police say work has begun to address the findings.

The 18-year-old was refused bail on August 17 and remains in custody.

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