February 27, 2024
Luxon talking tough on gang law
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says an escalation in crime warrants a crack down on gangs.
He told the post-cabinet press conference he has no apologies for the Government’s plans to ban gang patches in public places and give police more powers to stop gang gatherings.
“We are going to ban the gang patches. We are going to give the police more tools for dispersal and consorting., We are going to make gang membership and aggravating offence and we are going to deal with the illegal firearms. I make no apologies for it, You cannot have a situation where there is a 51 percent growth in gangs, a 33 percent growth in violent crime and the answer is let’s just keep on doing what we have been doing,” Mr Luxon says.
The Police briefing to the incoming minister acknowledged there was significant public concern about visible anti-social activity and gang-related violence, but indicated the new powers it had been given by the previous Government were being used effectively,