A notorious gang is wreaking havoc in and around sections of Waltham Park in St. Andrew, forcing residents to flee for their lives.

THE STAR has learnt that the Rat Bat gang, a group of thugs who operates in sections of the area,driving fear into the minds of residents, and has left several homes empty as families choose to seek refuge elsewhere. The residents who have been asked to leave are said to be against the hoodlums. But, other residents who were not told to leave have fled the communities as well.

"Me did haffi leave cause dem a gwaan real bad, trust me ... I have my kids fi live fah and mi nuh kno if a me dem ago come fa next," one resident, who contacted THE STAR and admitted that she had to leave her home, said.

Numerous persons from Crescent Road, Waltham Lane, Cemetery Lane and Julian Drive have reportedly fled their homes, in some cases, at the demand of thugs, THE STAR learnt.

A desire for turf and dominance is linked to the reports of intimidation and violence. "We had a meeting sometime last year and there was peace for seven months until now," Superintendent Derrick 'Cowboy' Knight, head of the Hunts Bay police, told THE STAR.

Superintendent Knight said the sudden flare-up of violence is as a result of the killing of 'Mr Heat', an influential resident, three weeks ago after he was released from prison.

"This thing erupted after Mr Heat was killed; the gang wants to control the whole place but he was against that, so they killed him," Superintendent Knight explained.

Since then there has been no more reported deaths; however, there has been reports of heavy gunfire.

When THE STAR visited Crescent Road recently, residents spoke openly of their fear of living in the area.

"Dem bwoy deh deadly eno yute, a dem a run di place and dem a run it a way, dem nuh tek nuh talk," one resident said.

"Yute man mi fraid, rite ya now mi a plan fi leave soon even though mi nuh kno weh me ago go yet ... Mi prefer go live inna one cave," an elderly resident living in the area for over 40 years said.

To make matters worse, another resident, Mary Jane, who also had plans of vacating her community confirmed that some residents are being ordered to leave by gang members.

"Jus like me, yu have some people who nuh fraid fi talk how dem feel ... so di so called shotta dem a sen order seh wi fi leave cause wi nuh wit dem," she explained.