Gisborne police given special powers as gang crackdown ramps up

The public will notice an increase in police activity across Tairāwhiti as officers execute special powers they have been given to deal with an escalation in gang violence in the district. Photo / Bevan Conley

Police have mounted a significant operation throughout Tairāwhiti as they work to deal with several incidents stemming from tension between rival gangs.

Eight incidents involving assaults and firearms in Gisborne have been reported between March 16 and 23.

In one of those incidents, a shot was fired at a house in Ranfurly St, Kaiti, on Saturday.

Police and gang leaders were working to ease tensions, Tairāwhiti area commander Inspector Danny Kirk said.

“But an escalation in the conflict between rival gang members has forced us to draw on additional powers.

Police have been given a "conflict warrant" to help them deal with gang issues in this region and area commander Inspector Danny Kirk (pictured) is assuring the community they will hold gang members to account.

“On Monday afternoon, police were issued a Gang Conflict Warrant under the Criminal Activity Intervention Legislation Act.

“It gives us special powers to search vehicles and occupants of vehicles of suspected gang members, and to seize firearms and weapons and vehicles.”

Police officers from throughout the district were supporting the operation.

“It will involve a heavy police presence in Gisborne and further afield,” Kirk said. “My focus, and the focus of all staff, is the safety of our communities.

“The incidents we’ve been made aware of posed a very real threat to the lives of those involved and innocent members of the public. We’re not going to tolerate it.

“We are continuing to work with gang leadership while sending a clear message to all gang members that they are in our spotlight.”

Extra police will be patrolling communities throughout Tairāwhiti.

“They will stop vehicles with links to gang members, search addresses and progress inquiries into the recent events of concern,” Kirk said.

“I want to assure our Tairāwhiti communities that we are driving this hard and will be committing significant resources to holding gang members accountable for their actions.

“We need the community to help us and people can do that by reporting illegal or suspicious activity, by calling police on 111 if it’s happening now or making a report via 105 if it’s after the fact.”