It's been billed as a battle for the streets of Melbourne, and new foot soldiers are on the frontline.
Far-right activist groups in Melbourne are threatening to use vigilante justice to combat so-called African gangs.
Sudanese migrants have been blamed for a series of high-profile crimes in the city, but community leaders say they're under attack.
Victoria Police spokesperson Adrian Healy told Newshub they've "noticed an overrepresentation of South Sudanese youth offenders".
"We're working with community leaders; it's one of the tactics we're using to address the problem."
But they're not the only ones joining the fray.
Far-right activists met on Sunday, planning to show up at crimes in Melbourne and do what they say police cannot.
Kane Miller from the "True Blue Crew" says it's about time the community got involved "because it's clear to see the police can't save us all".
Crime is down in Victoria but fear is up, after a series of offences this summer blamed on young offenders of African descent.
It's sentiment stoked by Australia's Prime Minister, who's blamed Victoria's Labor government for a gang problem he says is out of control.
"What's lacking is the political leadership and determination on the part of Premier Andrews," Malcom Turnball says.
But the Sudanese community isn't convinced.
Sudanese Community leader Ahmed Hassan says, "We don't have an African gang problem; what we do have is young people who are disenfranchised, disengaged."
Some have been subject to racist attacks, and they say Mr Turnbull is stoking the flames.
It is the tale of two very different kinds of community effort - from those working alongside police and others who take the law in their own hands.
Newshub.
