Gang war flares in Flaxmere

Warring gangs, armed with machetes, bottles, spades and poles, are terrorising Hastings residents who say someone will be killed if it is not stopped.

Three violent fights have broken out in Oban St in suburban Flaxmere. One former resident, who did not want to be named, said the battles stemmed from an incident at the end of 2004, after a burglary from one of the homes on the street.

The woman moved her family out of Oban St this week because of the violence. "I can see somebody getting killed," she said.

Since the burglary there have been clashes between residents of Oban St, and from nearby Ramsey Crescent, Ramsey Place, Kilkee Place and Holmes Place.

The tension erupted on August 9 when the first fight broke out.

The woman said a group of about 15 people came down Oban St, armed with spades, sticks, knives and bottles.

A fight broke out between the two groups of residents, with the brawl lasting for an hour and a half.

One man received a knee injury and another, 20-year-old Jason Helmbright, was lucky to walk away with a superficial cut after being attacked from all sides. "There were people all around me, stabbing me with weapons," he said.

The second brawl took place the following day, and lasted for about two hours. Again, the participants were armed with bottles, sticks, spades, poles and even a machete, but no one was injured.

Fighting broke out again on Tuesday night, when a 15-year-old boy was punched in the head.

Hastings Senior Sergeant Ross Smith urged residents not to take matters into their own hands. He said police did not take sides, and if any resident wanted to make a complaint, they should provide a name, description of the alleged offender, as well as the offence.

Two youths are to appear in Hastings District Court on September 1 in relation to the incidents. One is charged with assault and the second with being armed with a spade.

- NZPA