Up to 400 mourners attend Mongrel Mob Barbarian chapter leader Angus Benson's funeral in Napier today.
An estimated 400 people have attended the funeral for former Mongrel Mob Barbarian chapter leader Angus Benson in Napier today.
Police had set up checkpoints and surrounded the clubrooms in a bid to oversee the influx of gang members into Napier this weekend.
Eight arrests were made today, some for breaching the new ban on gang patches. Police say there were “relatively few issues”.
Police made eight arrests in relation to gang members attending a leader’s funeral in Napier, including some for breaching the new patch ban in public.
More than 400 cars have been moving through the Hawke’s Bay city as part of a funeral procession for Angus Benson, a former Mongrel MobBarbarian chapter president who was also known as “Heil Dogg” – died suddenly last weekend.
Earlier today three people were arrested for displaying gang insignia, Hawke’s Bay area commander Inspector Lincoln Sycamore said tonight.
“Several other breaches have been noted and will be followed up.”
Another four arrests for disorder offences were made this afternoon at the funeral service held at Napier Tech clubrooms this afternoon.
And one man was arrested in Douglas McLean Ave for displaying gang insignia and being in breach of bail conditions.
Sycamore said police were reporting “relatively few issues” arising from the tangi so far, but officers would continue to monitor proceedings as funeral attendees left the Wharerangi Lawn Cemetery.
“Gang members have been generally compliant with the Gangs Act 2024 and where there have been breaches that have not been able to be dealt with safely, information has been gathered to help enable potential follow-up action,” Sycamore said.
“This has also been the case with some instances of traffic offending during the funeral procession, which will be followed up.”
A funeral attendee is spoken to by police. Photo / Paul Taylor
The Herald understands there could have been as many as 15 instances of members flouting the gang patch ban.
The cars began arriving at the Wharerangi Lawn Cemetery at around 3pm after mourners earlier gathered at the Napier Tech sports clubroom.
Police have also been monitoring the procession after having a strong presence at the clubrooms.
Mongrel Mob members from around the country have been making their way to Napier for the tangi this week, with police saying the main event was expected to be a vehicle procession between 1pm-3pm today.
There is a heavy police presence at the tangi. Photo / Paul Taylor
Police have also been building up a large presence to oversee the funeral.
Benson’s body was seen arriving in a ute at the Napier Tech clubrooms in Marewa just after midday.
Shortly afterwards, police began to send their first cars to the venue, with several members flouting the recently enacted ban on gang patches in public, including one man on a horse.
Three people have also been seen being arrested by police just before 2pm.
Whānau, friends and gang members are gathering in Napier for the tangi of former Mongrel Mob Barbarian chapter president, Angus Benson. Photo / Paul Taylor
Two people could also be seen getting into a brief fight on Douglas McLean Ave.
An estimated 400 people arrived for the ceremony, while the Police Eagle helicopter buzzed overhead and marked and unmarked police vehicles parked nearby.
Benson was formerly Napier’s Mongrel Mob Barbarian chapter president and a prominent sportsman in the community, playing premier club rugby for Napier Tech for several seasons and cricket to a high level in his school days.
Police yesterday said they had issued 60 infringement notices, impounded two vehicles and processed four people for excess breath alcohol ahead of the tangi.
Angus Benson died suddenly last weekend.
Sycamore said extra police had been coming in from outside the district to help, including the police Eagle helicopter.
Police had also been meeting with locals, gang members and Benson’s whānau to plan ahead for the funeral.
Sycamore said the police role was to “allow mourners to grieve respectfully within the law”.
“We have also been engaging with local Mongrel Mob leadership, reiterating our expectations on lawful behaviour throughout the gathering and funeral.”
He said police would be respectful of mourners but would not tolerate any breaches of the law, including for showing gang patches or behaving in an intimidating way.
Police have said they won't tolerate gang members wearing gang patches. Photo / Paul Taylor
“If you have immediate concerns for your safety, please call 111. If you are reporting matters after the fact, contact 105 either online or over the phone,” Sycamore said.
Police had earlier set up checkpoints around Napier as gang members travelled into the area.
On Wednesday they said they conducted 572 passive breath tests and 10 breath screening tests – four of which resulted in excess breath alcohol.
“It is anticipated there will be increased traffic on Saturday, December 14, when the funeral and burial are expected to take place from around midday,” Sycamore said.
