Lower Hutt brawl: Residents scared after gang fight involving guns and machetes
A Stokes Valley resident who witnessed yesterday's gang brawl says she no longer feels safe in the suburb.
Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
Police maintained a presence in the Lower Hutt suburb of Stokes Valley overnight following a brawl which witnesses said
involved machetes, guns and gang members.
After the incident on George Street, officers searched houses in the area, however no arrests were made.
A local resident, who did not want to be named, said she heard loud bangs in Delaney Park and about 15 Mongrel Mob
members yelling and being aggressive to another group of people.
She said those involved had come prepared for a fight.
"They were being really aggressive on both sides and we heard some bangs and then we just saw that a few of them had
machetes."
This is the latest gang-related incident in the suburb in recent months.
In December a 39 year old man was shot and injured and in October a 21 year old man was shot.
The woman said she moved her young children to the suburb about eight months ago and would never have done so if she
knew this kind of thing happened.
She said the incident was terrifying, "especially it happening in the middle of the day on a Sunday, in a park where
everyone goes to play".
The woman said the situation with the gangs seemed to be getting worse and she did not think it was being addressed by
the police or government.
"It's horrible to know that this kind of thing actually happens and to have it happen on our front doorstep."
Other witnesses on social media also described seeing Black Power members at the scene.