Government considers bill to ban patches

Annette King

The Government will consider backing a bill to ban gang patches in Wanganui, Police Minister Annette King says.

National MP Chester Borrows intends introducing the legislation to Parliament on behalf of the Wanganui City Council.

Ms King said on TV One's Agenda programme that banning gangs or patches was not in itself a solution to the gang violence problem but the Government would look at the bill.

"Bring the bill, let us see it. We are prepared to look at measures that crack down on these criminals."

Ms King said she understood the bill focused on banning gang insignia, but that could be problematic. "What will you then say is an insignia?"

- NZPA