Gang crackdown: New national unit established

Police Commissioner Andrew Coster has revealed a specialised National Gang Unit to tackle gang crime across the country will be established.

Speaking from the Auckland Central Police Station, Coster announced the establishment of a National Gang Unit and District Disruption Units to target crime, harm and intimidation caused by gangs.

"The National Gang Unit will be established as a continuation of our work, and build our operational capability further," he said.

There were no targets, and was to be funded by a mix of reprioritised and new investment.

Coster said incoming legislation will provide police with more tools to ensure communities feel safe.

He said the unit would work with police districts and other gang units across the country to focus on the policing of gang events.

"New Zealand is still one of the safest places to live, but the changing gang landscape means that police will continue to adapt to tackle these challenges head-on.

"We want to deliver the best results for our communities."

Police Minister Mark Mitchell said the announced changes were "clamping down on the serious gang problem we have in New Zealand".

He cited the fatal shooting of Robert Sidney Horne last weekend on Ponsonby Rd by Killer Beez gang member Hone Kay-Selwyn.

"We're not putting up with it any more and we have a big programme as the incoming government around public safety."

He said the Government had given police additional powers to crack down on gangs, including banning gang patches in public places and giving police extra powers to stop gang members congregating.

"We want to send out a very clear message; if you continue to peddle drugs, if you continue to perpetuate violent sexual offending in our community and if you continue to break the law and think you're above the law, then under this Government things are going to change radically.

"These gang disruption units that are going to be based in the districts, are going to be very effective in making sure that if a gang member, or a gang, pops their head above the parapet, then police are going to have a strong response to deal with that."

Mitchell said he wants "resources on the front line".

"We've been very clear that we are going to continue to make substantial investment into police, including 500 frontline police officers."

Once the unit was established, the work of Operation Cobalt would continue through it.

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