Police beef up numbers to tackle capital's teen gangs

Violent youth gangs who terrorise the public, commit armed robberies and intimidate other youngsters with standover tactics have forced Wellington police to increase their presence in the inner city.

They are concerned about the links between the youth gangs and "adult" gangs such as Black Power.

Sergeant Greg Clark, of Youth Aid, said more than 20 teenagers, loosely grouped in two gangs - the Dark Syde and the Strathmore 44s - were responsible for attacks, burglaries and violent robberies in the inner city.

The uniform of the loosely affiliated gangs was styled on gangsta rap videos, with the typical baggy jeans, caps and hoodies, making the groups difficult to tell apart.

"They wear these bandannas, which they call their colours, on their heads or wrists or hanging off their jeans. But they chop and change all the time," Mr Clark said.

Some of the Dark Syde gang wear Black Power patches and blue bandannas to identify with that gang's colours.

The inner-city apartment precinct along Eva St and Leed St is a popular hangout for the gang members.

Joe Dowrick, body corporate manager of the Robert Hannah Apartments, said some residents had been frightened by the youths.

"They stare at people and mutter and shout 'What are you looking at?' It's petty thuggishness really," he said. "It's only ever about three or four of them but it's enough to frighten people."

Of the two groups, the Dark Syde was causing more concern.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Arnerich said the Dark Syde was a well-known group of criminals who had used knives in robberies and attacks.

"They're the bad kids, and they've been bad for a long time. Unfortunately some of them will stay that way."

The Strathmore 44s, named after the Strathmore bus route, were not as often in the police eye, and the two gangs had not yet come to blows.

Mr Arnerich said the 44s were not as active in the central city but had been involved in some "particularly vicious assaults" in their area.

A 17-year-old member of the 44s who is known to the police, said assaults were simply part of standard neighbourhood relations.

"If there's conflictions, it is with fellas who want conflictions."

The gangs mainly preyed on other youths and people wandering in the city after a few drinks.

Typical targets were cash and accessories such as cellphones and iPods.

Operation Hurricane - an increase of police on the streets at night - had been effective at keeping the spotlight on the young criminals and reducing offending, Mr Arnerich said.

"You have to put this in perspective: they're not terrorising the city, we're terrorising them."

- NZPA