A Gang Conflict Warrant is now in place across Hawke’s Bay as Police respond to concerning incidents of gang violence.
Inspector Dean Clifford says the warrant gives Police special powers to search vehicles of suspected gang members, and to seize firearms, weapons, and vehicles.
It comes after two incidents in the last 48 hours believed to involve those linked to the Mongrel Mob and Black Power.
The first was a serious assault on Riverbend Road in Maraenui last night, where a firearm was reportedly discharged and two people were taken to hospital with moderate injuries.
The second was in the early hours of this morning, where Police were called to a grievous assault on Omahu Road, Hastings, where two young people sustained life-threatening injuries. Both were taken to hospital.
Inspector Clifford says an increased Police presence remains across Hawke’s Bay as we continue our enquiries into these incidents.
“I hope the Gang Conflict Warrant will do two things,” he says.
“That it reassures the public that we are using every tool at our disposal in order to keep them safe, and that it sends a clear message to those involved in this violence that we will not accept it in our community.”
FFS you can’t even carry pepper spray in a country where gang members roam free shooting people. Time to rethink the public’s ability to defend themselves.
“Special powers” ??? Didn’t they have enough authority already to carry out the job they were supposedly employed to do?