First arrest for wearing gang patches made in Wanganui

Gangs protest in Wanganui today. Photo / NZPA

The first arrest has been made in Wanganui over the town's gang patch ban.

It was not related to the protest held today by gang members, whose demonstration passed without incident or arrests.

The 21-year-old local man belongs to a motorcycle gang and was arrested several streets away from the protest.

He appears in court tomorrow.

Earlier, Black Power member Denis O'Reilly said he wanted police to take gang patches during today's march so they would be charged and the courts could then rule on the validity of the new bylaw.

Wanganui gang members hit the city's streets at midday today, in a peaceful protest against the District Council's new bylaw banning gang insignia.

"If someone's behaving like an egg or being threatening and the police arrest them, then that's fair enough. But if it's just a question of what you wear, rather than how you behave, then that seems to be against the Bill of Rights," Mr O'Reilly said.

He says not only is the law unfair, but the size of the area the ban applies to is excessive.

Wanganui authorities are already disagreeing over the enforcement of the new ban which came into force at midnight.

The bylaw gives police powers to fine patchwearers $2000 and to take their gang insignia from them.

Mayor Michael Laws told Radio New Zealand gang members who wore their gang patches in protest today would be arrested.

"If there is [a protest] and they're wearing their gang patches, we'd be delighted to arrest them.

"Honestly, Wanganui is going to become a very, very uncomfortable place if you're a gang member or gang associate from now on. And we're delighted it's going to be ... uncomfortable for them."

Mr Laws described the bylaw as "a triumph for decency and democracy".

"We are the first city and council in New Zealand to say 'enough' to the predations and petty terrorism of gangs.

"Now it is time for the rest of New Zealand to follow our lead. We don't have to put up with these criminals who are intent upon undermining our society. They must not be tolerated."

- NEWSTALK ZB, NZ HERALD STAFF, NZPA