Vigilantes armed with baseball bats have taken matters into their own hands to stop children running amok in Maddington streets.

Frustrated residents last night targeted a home where they believe some of the children live and say they'll keep doing it until the kids stop terrorising their suburb.

The vigilante group smashed windows at the property and swung baseball bats at children.

The late night attack following growing concerns about groups of youths, some as young as nine, who have been blamed for breaking into cars and homes, vandalising public property and assaulting residents.

Camera Icon A boy walks away after being issued with a move on notice by mounted police. Credit: Seven News.

Seven News reported locals were too scared to leave their homes, catch public transport, or go to Maddington Village shopping centre as children as young as nine roam the streets.

A woman involved in the vigilante response said she was sick of the children who live at the house terrorising the suburb and wanted them to feel frightened for a change.

Seven News spoke to some of the boys being being targeted by the vigilantes, including one who stood in a doorway holding a machete.

Camera Icon Police have stepped up patrols as tensions between residents and out-of-control children reach boiling point. Credit: Seven News

They said they were worried about further attacks, which locals say are likely unless police step in.

WA Police have thrown extra resources to fight against juvenile crime in the area and yesterday deployed mounted patrols around the Maddington Village shops on Westfield Avenue.

They have warned residents against taking the law into their own hands and advised them to continue to report incidents as they occurred.

Camera Icon Maddington residents say a group of children is terrorising their suburb. Credit: Seven News

A tentative peace has been restored this evening, after many of the children that have been roaming the streets were today issued move on notices.

But those orders only last for 24 hours and residents are concerned about what happens once they expire.