Laws likens gang members to terrorists

Michael Laws

Wanganui mayor Michael Laws branded gang members as "terrorists" and said the Wanganui District Council would launch a two-pronged offensive against gangs.

Mr Laws' message followed the latest gang intimidation of Wanganui shoppers this week.

He said the council would assist the "no tolerance policy" and as a first step gang patches and regalia would be banned from the central business district.

The council would then make changes to the district plan to ban quasi-gang fortifications.

Mr Laws said that gangs were little better than terrorists and that New Zealand politicians and policy-makers had "practised appeasement rather than policing".

"It's time to take a stand, and it will start in Wanganui. We will not surrender our streets.

"I have received police assurance that their numbers will rise to meet any activity from gangs and their associates."

Police action in the city to arrest Mongrel Mob members intimidating city shoppers in the CBD was both "swift and welcome", Mr Laws said.

Mr Laws said he would meet the Minister of Police, Annette King, to stress the need for ongoing police staff and resources.

Meanwhile police are reassuring the public that they have the manpower and capability to effectively deal with any outbreak of violence following Tuesday's gang fracas.

Police outnumbered Mongrel Mob members in Victoria Ave this week, frisking them for weapons and searching their vehicle.

A bystander said he saw this behaviour overseas and came to Wanganui because of its peaceful environment.

"But this sort of thing comes and goes, and we won't be put off by these incidents."

Patched members of the gang converged on Victoria Ave earlier this week, but the immediate police response saw four men arrested for intimidating the public. They later appeared in the Wanganui District Court on a variety of charges.

Police said a total of 27 gang members were in the avenue but the swift response by police was instrumental in gang members leaving the central business district.

Acting area controller Senior Sergeant Duncan McLeod said Wanganui police will not tolerate a continuation of gang rivalry in the city and the message is clear: The police have the capability to deal with any unlawful behaviour by gangs regardless of their numbers.

Local police numbers have been boosted by police from other areas within the Central Districts.

Mr McLeod said police were grateful for the support of the Wanganui District Council and members of the public who are working co-operatively to deal with the situation.

Police confirmed the rumoured death of the Mongrel Mob member injured in Tuesday's gang confrontation was false.

Mr McLeod said in a statement that the man was in a stable but serious condition in Wellington Hospital, after sustaining head injuries in the altercation.

He said that the rumours had only aggravated the delicate situation and called for calm and common sense.

"Whatever caused the confrontation on Tuesday can be resolved with level heads and clear thinking," he said.

Police are still appealing for witnesses who saw a police vehicle following a white Ford Falcon on Carlton and Fitzherbert Aves at about 1.30pm on Tuesday to come forward.

- WANGANUI CHRONICLE