Police union gets behind gangs bylaw

The Police Association has welcomed moves to ban gang patches and colours in central Wanganui.

But association president Greg O'Connor said the proposed bylaw should be part of a "co-ordinated approach" involving central Government and senior police, who had failed to acknowledge the extent of the gang problem.

He believed a bylaw in Wanganui would be effective and give police on the street more power to deal with gang members.

"Gangs don't wear their patches to court, they don't wear them in public bars, they don't wear them where they're not allowed to because they know they'll get prosecuted. Gangs are just big bullies and you've just got to be bigger than them."

Mr O'Connor said he understood the introduction of bylaws by other cities had proved difficult. The Bill of Rights was one barrier, he said.

The bylaw, which would be a first in New Zealand, would ban gang regalia in the central business district and all other public places.

Public submissions will be sought after a draft bylaw goes to the council's strategy committee next week, then to the full council and then to public consultation.

The council decision follows violent clashes between Hell's Angels and Mongrel Mob members in the city this month. Eleven gang members have been arrested and the Hell's Angels headquarters was raided in a police crackdown.

Wanganui Mayor Michael Laws said a bylaw would allow people to feel safer on the streets and "removes the strut factor of the gangs and their intimidation of the people of Wanganui".