Community in fear as gang members move in to quiet Auckland street

Community in fear as gang members move in to quiet Auckland street

A west Auckland family say they live in fear and can't let their children play outside after gang members moved onto their street.

They say the Housing New Zealand property became vacant when the named tenant was sent to prison, but instead of being passed onto another family the Mongrel Mob moved in.

Just a normal street full of family homes - the cul-de-sac in Glen Eden was a quiet road, locals say, until one of the residents was sent to jail in August, so residents expected the Housing New Zealand property to be vacant.

"We hoped they would put a family in there with some children who needed a good place to live because it was a really nice three-bedroom house," says one resident.

Several on the street contacted Newshub. They want to speak out but are scared to be identified.

"They are very intimidating. If you make eye contact with them they just stare you out; they're just nasty. Verbal abuse and the language is absolutely disgusting."

Local residents say the tenant's brother moved in when the named tenant went to prison. At times neighbours say there are up to 11 people staying at the house with some even sleeping in cars on the property.

"They've absolutely trashed the house. They've removed all the carpet and you can see mattresses inside, so I presume they are sleeping wherever."

Housing New Zealand said in a statement to Newshub it is "aware of ongoing anti-social behaviour issues at this property and has been attempting for some time to engage with the tenants to address these matters".

Residents are in regular contact with Housing New Zealand and say while their concerns have been elevated to a "senior tenancy manager", it's not quick enough.

Residents are pinning their hopes on a tenancy tribunal tomorrow, when it's hoped Housing New Zealand can claim back control of the property.

Newshub.