Invercargill police reassure public over fires

Invercargill police have reassured the public they have nothing to fear after a spate of recent gang-related fires in the city.

Last night, police and Invercargill City Council had a closed meeting to discuss escalating gang problems in the city.

Armed police have been on standby since the Balmoral Drive home of the Road Knights gang and a property in front of the Mongrel Mob headquarters in Severn Street were torched last week.

After last night's meeting, police area commander Inspector Tony O'Neill said police wanted to give their reassurances to the public.

The "public are okay to go about their business and do their own thing", he told the Southland Times.

"We don't want the public to be uptight and think they have to live in any fortress type of situation because of what's going on."

He said the meeting had been in committee so that police and councillors could have a free and frank conversation.

Mr O'Neill said police would maintain high visibility on the streets to deter possible gang conflict.

Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt said police had given a general reassurance that everything was under control.

- NZPA