Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick says the city will not become 'a dumping ground for problems from other areas” as police report increased crime rates around motels used to accommodate the homeless.

Chadwick was speaking in the wake of Rotorua Police area commander Phil Taikato​ telling Stuff they had seen 'a clear increase in offending” in the areas around Rotorua's Fenton St.

'In particular, Police have seen an increase in dishonesty offending and violent crime,” Taikato says.

'Police met with the Rotorua City Council [sic] last week and continues to work with partner agencies to ensure the safety of the community. Police will continue to address any enforcement issues as they arise.”

Chadwick says she was concerned about the reports coming from both the community and police about increased anti-social behaviour, 'and the effect this is having on local residents”.

Chadwick says she plans to meet with Rotorua's Central Government agency leaders this week to ascertain the facts and plan to address any issues.

She says the council and central government agencies would work together on the issue.

'People need to feel safe in their homes, neighbourhoods and businesses and Rotorua will not be a dumping ground for problems from other areas.”

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development confirmed to Stuff that they were providing 103 places across seven Rotorua motels for transitional housing, Covid-19 accommodation for rough sleepers and places for people in accommodation where social distancing was not possible.

A HUD spokesperson also told Stuff that providers contracted to provide transitional housing work closely with moteliers to monitor and address incidents of 'negative behaviour”.

'Providers' feedback is that incidents of anti-social behaviour in HUD contracted motels is rare,” they say.

In the streets surrounding a number of the motels, however, a different picture emerged.

The dumping of shopping trolleys was an issue everyone raised, but there were more serious concerns too.

Stuff spoke to numerous homeowners in the Glenholme​ area, all of whom spoke on condition of anonymity.

While everyone was in agreement places needed to be found for people to live who might otherwise be on the streets, all related negative experiences too, with the proliferation of shopping trolleys and litter on the streets mentioned by everyone Stuff spoke to.

"We've had one lot of intruders which made us add to our security,” one resident said, also complaining of discarded shopping trolleys and increased littering.

'It's mainly the rubbish. It's a different atmosphere in the street.”

Another resident said their parents had lived on their street for the last 17 years and had definitely seen a spike in anti-social behaviour.

'Boy racers, gang people, swearing,” they say.

'Kids knock on the door and before you can answer they're trying the door handle. . . we're a lot more careful about locking doors.

'This used to be a nice area and it's starting to get not so nice.”

Another resident Stuff spoke to said they had seen dangerous driving and domestic disputes playing out on their street.

'The foulest language you could hear,” they say.

'I'm not sure it encourages people to stay in Rotorua.”

• Benn Bathgate/Stuff