Ajax St resident Kirsty Osborne said police seemed powerless to take action against "lawless" youths she believed were responsible for stealing and joyriding at least four cars from Milton and Waihola early on Sunday morning.
She believed the alleged culprits might be identical to those blamed for a series of thefts from cars in October, which led to the arrest and prosecution of a 17-year-old.
However, she said that action appeared to have made no change, after her Mazda Atenza was one of at least four cars stolen in the area on Saturday night.
Mrs Osborne, who works as a pharmacy technician, said a girl and two boys aged 13-17 could be seen on her security cameras stealing her car from outside her property about 5am on Sunday.
"It took them about a minute. They tore up in another stolen car, smashed the passenger window, ripped out the ignition and hot-wired it, then screeched away again.
"The first I knew about it was when police called me at about 5.30am saying my car had been abandoned in Tokoiti and would I like to pay for it to be towed?"
She said the alleged culprits stole another car from the Tokoiti drop-off, one of at least four stolen that night.
"My partner and I work hard, as do others who’ve had their cars stolen. I know one of the victims has had her Christmas ruined as a result, as her 5-year-old is scared to bits, and she has to decide between paying for repairs or for Christmas.
"I’d like to see police take some proper action against these kids, and make them face the consequences of what they’re doing. At the moment there just don’t seem to be any consequences for them, and that just emboldens them further."
Mrs Osborne said local people appeared to know the identity of some of the alleged offenders.
"Their parents should step up and take responsibility."
She said, by going public, she hoped to raise awareness and spur the police into action.
"You can become a target if you speak out, but it takes a community to make a change. Milton used to be safe, but it’s not any more."
In a statement yesterday, police said they were aware of the recent upsurge in car crime, and urged the public to "be vigilant".
"[We] ask owners of vehicles, particularly Toyota Aqua and Mazda Demio owners to ensure their vehicles are locked and if possible, securely parked overnight. Police are following strong lines of inquiry into reported vehicle thefts and are watching for vehicle crime and monitoring hotspots in the area."
• Police 105, Crimestoppers 0800555-111.
