KEY POINTS:
An out-of-control youth gang has turned an Auckland suburban street into a no-go zone with police warning residents and visitors to stay inside.
The gang of young people live with their parents in a Housing New Zealand house in Rangeview Road, Mt Albert, which is regularly visited by
police.
Police said they had constant complaints from residents that the gang had been harassing visitors and residents so much they were now warning people not to go out alone or at night.
Officers said the night was the highest risk time when the youths had been drinking or taking substances.
"There is a crime issue on the street in relation to an address and that is why we are warning people to be cautious and use wisdom," Constable Nigel Turnbull said.
"It is not your standard suburban street where you would imagine you could walk your dog after 6pm."
All the youths were "exceptionally well known" to police and had no respect for the police or other residents of the street.
He said a visitor to a house near the youth gang home was stopped recently.
"They had dragged him out of his car, assaulted him and took his vehicle.
"He is a member of a minority group within the community and they have felt very threatened by this group," Mr Turnbull said.
The youths would also lie on the road in front of traffic and assault the occupants of cars or steal their property when they stopped.
He said the youths were opportunistic criminals who would exploit anyone walking or driving alone.
They were brave and aggressive in a group but not as brave by themselves.
Mr Turnbull said police regularly visited the street and several of the gang were waiting for court appearances.
Police had told Housing New Zealand and other government agencies of the problem, he said.
Housing New Zealand is understood to be working with police and looking at the possibility of evicting the tenants of the house.
New Zealand First housing spokesman Pita Paraone said there were 11,000 people on the waiting list for a state house and gang members should be evicted.
"Why does the Government make those who need and deserve state housing wait while gang members terrorise neighbourhoods from their state-provided housing."
He said the state had a right to expect its tenants were law abiding.
"Failure to terminate this tenancy and other tenancies held by gang members is tantamount to the Government lending comfort and support to these criminal organisations.
- NZPA
