Latest news with #GangsAct
1News
01-05-2025
- 1News
Wairoa residents uneasy after spate of gang crimes
There's a sense of unease in Wairoa after two private properties were shot at by gangs in the past 10 days. Wairoa Business Association chairperson Sue Wilson told RNZ there was a big police presence in town, which was welcomed by business owners. "It gives us a sense of security and outlines the fact crime won't be tolerated here in Wairoa. People have noticed dog handlers driving around town and other police cars, so that's great we are seeing them on the street," she said. The shootings have put people on edge. "It definitely does make people feel uneasy, especially when they're shooting in public area such as the Frasertown Hotel... but we just hope the police can catch these offenders and stomp it out," Wilson said. This was a feeling shared by Wairoa Mayor Craig Little. "There've been two properties with a couple of gunshots, and also a Molotov cocktail chucked at one house." Little said he had talked with police Monday morning, who reassured him there had not been any inter-gang conflicts since Thursday. "Here we are celebrating Anzac Day and where so many sacrificed their lives, and these clowns are out shooting at people - it's just not acceptable. "There's nothing brave about shooting someone's house," he said. Police have invoked the Gang Conflict Warrant 28 times since it was first issued on 24 April. The mayor told RNZ that since the Gangs Act came into force in November 2024, there has been less crime, which makes this latest spate of gang fights all the more frustrating. "It's just disappointing - we are trying to do so many good things in Wairoa and a few clowns really stuff it up for everyone else," said Little. Two men - aged 18 and 35 - were charged with aggravated burglary and possession of offensive weapons in relation to an incident on Tuesday night when shots were fired at houses in Wairoa. On Thursday night, a 21-year-old man was arrested on drug and driving-related charges. A 21-year-old woman was also arrested for disorderly behaviour, and a 50-year-old man was arrested for breaching bail. On Saturday, police said a 37-year-old man was arrested and charged with prohibited display of gang insignia and 42-year-old Wairoa man has been charged with possession of cannabis. On Sunday, police said a 44-year-old Napier man had been arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine and a set of knuckle dusters was seized. By Alexa Cook of
Otago Daily Times
28-04-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Locals uneasy after spate of gang crimes in Wairoa
By Alexa Cook of RNZ There's a sense of unease in Wairoa after two private properties were shot at by gangs in the past 10 days. Wairoa Business Association Chair Sue Wilson told RNZ there was a big police presence in the North Island town, which was welcomed by business owners. "It gives us a sense of security and outlines the fact crime won't be tolerated here in Wairoa. "People have noticed dog handlers driving around town and other police cars, so that's great we are seeing them on the street," she said. The shootings have put people on edge. "It definitely does make people feel uneasy, especially when they're shooting in public area such as the Frasertown Hotel... but we just hope the police can catch these offenders and stomp it out," Wilson said. This was a feeling shared by Wairoa Mayor Craig Little. "There've been two properties with a couple of gunshots, and also a molotov cocktail chucked at one house." Little said he had talked with police Monday morning, who reassured him there had not been any inter-gang conflicts since Thursday. "Here we are celebrating Anzac Day and where so many sacrificed their lives, and these clowns are out shooting at people - it's just not acceptable. "There's nothing brave about shooting someone's house," he said. Police have invoked the Gang Conflict Warrant 28 times since it was first issued on April 24. The mayor told RNZ that since the Gangs Act came into force in November 2024, there has been less crime, which makes this latest spate of gang fights all the more frustrating. "It's just disappointing - we are trying to do so many good things in Wairoa and a few clowns really stuff it up for everyone else," said Little. Spate of arrests Two men - aged 18 and 35 - were charged with aggravated burglary and possession of offensive weapons in relation to an incident on Tuesday night when shots were fired at houses in Wairoa. On Thursday night, a 21-year-old man was arrested on drug and driving-related charges. A 21-year-old woman was also arrested for disorderly behaviour, and a 50-year-old man was arrested for breaching bail. On Saturday, police said a 37-year-old man was arrested and charged with prohibited display of gang insignia and 42a -year-old Wairoa man has been charged with possession of cannabis. On Sunday, police said a 44-year-old Napier man had been arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine and a set of knuckle dusters was seized.
RNZ News
28-04-2025
- RNZ News
Wairoa locals uneasy after spate of gang crimes
There is an increased police presence in Wairoa. Photo: There's a sense of unease in Wairoa after two private properties were shot at by gangs in the past 10 days. Wairoa Business Association Chair Sue Wilson told RNZ there was a big police presence in town, which was welcomed by business owners. "It gives us a sense of security and outlines the fact crime won't be tolerated here in Wairoa. "People have noticed dog handlers driving around town and other police cars, so that's great we are seeing them on the street," she said. The shootings have put people on edge. "It definitely does make people feel uneasy, especially when they're shooting in public area such as the Frasertown Hotel... but we just hope the police can catch these offenders and stomp it out," Wilson said. This was a feeling shared by Wairoa Mayor Craig Little. "There've been two properties with a couple of gunshots, and also a molotov cocktail chucked at one house." Little said he had talked with police Monday morning, who reassured him there had not been any inter-gang conflicts since Thursday. "Here we are celebrating Anzac Day and where so many sacrificed their lives, and these clowns are out shooting at people - it's just not acceptable. "There's nothing brave about shooting someone's house," he said. Police have invoked the Gang Conflict Warrant 28 times since it was first issued on 24 April. The mayor told RNZ that since the Gangs Act came into force in November 2024, there has been less crime, which makes this latest spate of gang fights all the more frustrating. "It's just disappointing - we are trying to do so many good things in Wairoa and a few clowns really stuff it up for everyone else," said Little. Two men - aged 18 and 35 - were charged with aggravated burglary and possession of offensive weapons in relation to an incident on Tuesday night when shots were fired at houses in Wairoa. On Thursday night, a 21-year-old man was arrested on drug and driving-related charges. A 21-year-old woman was also arrested for disorderly behaviour, and a 50-year-old man was arrested for breaching bail. On Saturday, police said a 37-year-old man was arrested and charged with prohibited display of gang insignia and 42-year-old Wairoa man has been charged with possession of cannabis. On Sunday, police said a 44-year-old Napier man had been arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine and a set of knuckle dusters were seized. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
28-04-2025
- NZ Herald
Police use new powers to curb gang tensions in Hawke's Bay, Gisborne
Other alleged gang-related incidents in Wairoa that had not been reported to police included assaults, vehicle rammings, other damage to cars, and threatening behaviour. A handful of people have since been arrested on drug charges, display of gang insignia, disorderly behaviour, aggravated burglary and possession of offensive weapons, and breaching bail. Detective Inspector Marty James, district manager of criminal investigations in the Eastern District, told Morning Report the Gang Conflict Warrant enabled police to search vehicles or places gang members own or use. It is used to 'enhance public safety or remove the weapons from the street'. 'Effectively, it's a tool to suppress gang activity and enhance our community safety'. James said police needed to prove there was conflict when applying for the warrant, which could be used for up to 14 days before needing to be renewed. Since 2023, the warrant has been used several times with success in the district, he said. Most of the arrests since Tuesday related to possession of knives, knuckle dusters and weapons in general, James said. There had been no inter-gang conflict in Wairoa or Napier since Thursday. Wairoa Mayor Craig Little said on Friday the flare-up of violence between the rival gangs was a disgrace, after months of peace. 'There's no excuse for it happening. I really feel sorry for police officers, they're doing so well. 'They [gang members] just don't give a stuff about anyone else's safety.' Things had quietened down since the Gangs Act came into force in November, he said. The arrests Two men — aged 18 and 35 — were charged with aggravated burglary and possession of offensive weapons after the Tuesday night incident. On Thursday night, a 21-year-old man was arrested on drug- and driving-related charges. A 21-year-old woman was also arrested for disorderly behaviour, and a 50-year-old man was arrested for breaching bail. On Saturday, police said a 37-year-old man was arrested and charged with prohibited display of gang insignia, and a 42-year-old Wairoa man had been charged with possession of cannabis. On Sunday, police said a Napier man, 44, had been arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine and a set of knuckle dusters was seized.
RNZ News
27-04-2025
- RNZ News
Most arrests in Wairoa under latest gang conflict warrant for weapons
Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver Police say they are invoking new powers to help dial down tensions between the Mongrel Mob and Black Power in Hawke's Bay and Gisborne. Police have invoked the Gang Conflict Warrant 28 times since it was first issued on 24 April. On Tuesday last week, shots were fired at houses in Wairoa associated with Mongrel Mob and Black Power gangs, police said. They said other alleged gang-related incidents in Wairoa that had not been reported to police included assaults, vehicle rammings, other damage to cars, and threatening behaviour. A handful of people have since been arrested on drugs charges, display of gang insignia, disorderly behaviour, aggravated burglary and possession of offensive weapons, and breaching bail. Detective Inspector Marty James, district manager of criminal investigations in the Eastern District, told Morning Report the Gang Conflict Warrant enables police to search vehicles or places gang members own or use. It is used to "enhance public safety on remove the weapons from the street. Effectively, it's a tool to suppress gang activity and enhance our community safety". James said police need to prove there is conflict when applying for the warrant and it can be used for up to 14 days before needing to be renewed. Since 2023, the warrant has been used a number of times with success in the district, he said. James said most of the arrests since Tuesday related to possession of knives, knuckle dusters and weapons in general. Since Thursday there was no more inter-gang conflict in Wairoa or Napier, he said. On Friday mayor of Wairoa Craig Little said the flare up of violence between the rival gangs was a disgrace, after months of peace. "There's no excuse for it happening. It's a disgrace and I really feel sorry for police officers, they're doing so well. "They [gang members] just don't give a stuff about anyone else's safety." Things had quietened down since the Gangs Act came into force in November, he said. Two men - aged 18 and 35 - were charged with aggravated burglary and possession of offensive weapons in relation to an incident on Tuesday night when shots were fired at houses in Wairoa. On Thursday night a 21-year-old man was arrested on drug and driving-related charges. A 21-year-old woman was also arrested for disorderly behaviour, and a 50-year-old man was arrested for breaching bail. On Saturday police said a 37-year-old man was arrested and charged with prohibited display of gang insignia and 42-year-old Wairoa man has been charged with possession of cannabis. And on Sunday police said a 44 year-old Napier man had been arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine and a set of knuckle dusters were seized.
