A gang in the Crumlin and Kimmage area are has been threatening to damage cars and homes if residents don't hand over so called "protection money".
This new racket has led to calls for a stronger garda presence in the area, and also for CCTV cameras to be installed.
For some time now, a gang has been smashing windscreens, knocking off wing mirrors and scratching their cars while residents sleep.
In a worrying escalation, these young vandals have recently started demanding €50 to stop them from damaging or stealing their property.
Local Councillor Catherine Ardagh says something needs to be done about this:
"All the residents on the street parked at the garda station that day, obviously terrified that something would happen to their cars or their houses. So I just think it's something that the police need to look into and take a little bit more seriously."
Councillor Ardagh has asked for CCTV cameras to be installed in the affected areas, and she feels a stronger Gardai presence would put an end to it:
"It's petty crime but it's very upsetting to victims. I don't blame the guards. We've seen garda numbers being cut recently. So I think the government need to take action. They need to put more guards on the street. Cause I think when people see guards walking up and down the street, the visibility alone is a massive deterrent."
Gardai are advising people not to hand over this so-called protection money, and to contact their local Garda station if approached.
