Drug dealing, underage drinking, stabbings: Teens accused of violent crimes in Bellbird Park

Residents in an Ipswich suburb say groups of up to 50 children have left them terrified, with mystery blood stains on the street, car thefts, drug deals and drinking. The “gangs’’, who have appeared at night on weekends, have also vandalised their cars.

Residents in Bellbird Park in Ipswich’s east say their formerly quiet suburb has been taken over in recent weeks by large groups of teenagers who they believe are behind drug deals, car thefts and vandalism.

The groups have been congregating at Tucker Family Park, on Ardie Ct, at night on weekends for the past four weeks.

Mercedez Maximoff, who lives across from the park, said the group began as just an annoyance but had recently become violent.

“I am so distraught and I cannot sleep. I feel extremely unsafe in my home,” she said.

“For the past couple of weeks, every weekend, a group of around 50 kids have come and run amok in our street.

“They are playing loud music until 3am, leaning on and kicking our cars parked in the street and in the driveways, trying to steal the cars and things inside of them.

Tucker Family Park in Bellbird Park has been taken over by a large group of youths in recent weekends, locals claim.

“In the past we have approached the kids asking them to get off our vehicles and they always come back at us aggravated and aggressive”.

Residents on Ardie Ct and Alesana Drive claimed the teenagers had tried to steal their cars or items inside them and drank in public, with some drink driving and dealing drugs.

Last Sunday evening a boy was alleged to have been seriously assaulted by another teenage boy at the park, they said.

“We saw a boy being chased by a whole group of others. Then we saw him getting beaten with a metal pole and he was stabbed with a knife right in front of my house,” Ms Maximoff said.

“It wasn’t much, but I just cannot stop thinking about the trail of blood we found across the pavement to the grass.

Blood splatters at Tucker Family Park, discovered after an alleged stabbing on December 10.

“We told the police about it when they arrived, but they said they cannot really investigate it unless the victim does report it.

“There was a lot of drinking and (alleged) drug dealing going on here.

“You could see a lot of quick drop offs and handshake hand-offs. It was like something out of a movie or Grand Theft Auto.

“The police are aware of it and they told us they’re pretty certain it’s gang related”.

The teens were also accused of smashing stolen vehicles into parked cars while drunk.

An Ardie Ct resident, who did not want to be named, said his mother’s car was damaged by teens fleeing from police.

“I was out before it all started out here on Sunday, but when I got home I couldn’t even get in my driveway. There were kids everywhere,” the man said.

“I had my mum and my two kids in my car, so naturally I was scared for their safety.

“Later in the night, I heard a loud bang from the car being hit.

“I didn’t want to come out at the time as there was a lot of people outside.

“But once the police came and everyone started leaving, I came out and found out someone had clipped mum’s car.”

Damage to a parked car at Ardie Ct, Bellbird Park after teens allegedly crashed into the vehicle while drink driving.

Another resident from Bellbird Park, who also wished to remain anonymous, said he was out walking on Sunday night with his toddler when a resident warned him to avoid the park.

“When I saw the group from a distance, I turned around and took another route home,” he said.

A Queensland Police Service spokesperson said police were “actively investigating’’ the incident at Bellbird Park.

“Officers were called at approximately 9.30pm to reports of a disturbance involving several people at a park along Ardie Ct and Alesana Drive on December, 10,” they said.

“Upon arrival, the group had dispersed, and no one was physically injured.

“A complaint has not been made to police; however, local crews are continuing to monitor the area”.

It was believed police officers from Goodna and Springfield have been increasing patrols around the park on weekend evenings.