'Wannabe' gangster may be behind attack - police

File photos / Herald, Herald on Sunday

A man who assaulted a four-year-old boy because he was wearing a red shirt may be a "wannabe" gang member, police say.

The boy was playing in Whakatane's Cutler Crescent reserve on Thursday afternoon when a man, thought to be in his mid 20s to early 30s, approached the child while his father's back was turned, poked him in the chest and shouted at him to remove the shirt, Eastern Bay of Plenty acting area commander Inspector Greg Sparrow said.

The man, who was wearing blue bandannas around his wrists and neck, then physically removed the shirt from the boy before his father could intervene.

Whakatane is known as the territory of the Black Power gang, which is associated with blue-coloured clothing. Black Power's main rival gang, the Mongrel Mob, is associated with red-coloured clothing.

While it was initially thought the man was a Black Power member, police said today he might not be a formal member of an adult gang, but rather a member of a "wannabe" youth group.

"This was a terrible incident and no doubt it was frightening for the boy and his family and we are doing everything we can to locate this person and ensure he is held accountable," Mr Sparrow said.

"Regardless of whether the offender has formal gang connections or not, we do not believe that we have an escalating problem in our community."

Mr Sparrow said police were very aware of the intimidating nature of groups of youths or gang patches in public places, particularly in town centres and central business districts.

"We will be working closely alongside our local partners such as the Whakatane District Council, community groups, social agencies and iwi to ensure that, together, we are all doing everything we can in this regard."

The man was described as Maori, clean shaven with black short hair and about 170cm tall. His blue T-shirt had "Whakatane" in white lettering on the front.

There have been a number of gang colours-related assaults in the Bay of Plenty recently.

In November last year a teenager was assaulted by a group in the carpark of the Whakatane Pak'N Save because he was wearing a red T-shirt.

In January last year Murupara 16-year-old Jordan Herewini was run down and killed outside his home by a vehicle stolen from a family member.

Mongrel Mob members from Kawerau were charged with his murder. At the time of the slaying, the boy was wearing a yellow shirt - a colour associated with the rival Tribesmen.

- NZPA