Wanganui gang-patch law held up

A final decision on Wanganui's proposed bylaw banning gang patches and regalia from public places in the city has been delayed by six weeks.

The bylaw, which was suggested after a string of gang clashes in Wanganui in March, was due to be discussed at the Wanganui District Council strategy committee on Thursday.

But it was pulled after Mayor Michael Laws met earlier in the week with police who raised some legal concerns.

Legal issues related to ensuring the bylaw complied with Bill of Rights law, preventing possible legal challenges once the bylaw was enacted, needed to be investigated, the Wanganui Chronicle reported.

"There needs to be work done to tidy up some aspects of it. Any bylaw has to be spot on. We need to be satisfied the bylaw isn't able to be challenged." Mr Laws said.

- NZPA