A Hamilton Councillor thinks the region's gangs could be becoming more aggressive because of their Australian links.

Sixty police staff are working to crack three Hamilton-area homicides in the last month, believed to be linked and gang-related.

Councillor and former police officer James Casson claims it could be a result of Kiwis returning home after being in Australian gangs and taking up the post here.

He told Kate Hawkesby some Kiwis are pretty high up in the food chain over there.

"Most of the strong arm guys in the Australian gangs are Kiwis, and these guys coming back make our gangs look like fairies as these guys come back with a real hard edge to them."

LISTEN TO JAMES CASSON TALK WITH KATE HAWKESBY ABOVE