Police reinforcements after gang fires

A house was burnt down on Severn St in Invercargill. Photo / Myles Maheno

Invercargill police are bracing themselves for a fresh round of gang violence after a group of around 30 gang members were seen boarding a ferry for the South Island earlier this week.

Tensions between the Mongrel Mob and Road Knights escalated last week after the Road Knights' Balmoral Drive headquarters were razed and two Harley Davidsons stolen and later torched.

Several days later a property in front of the Mongrel Mob headquarters in Severn Street was burnt down.

Southland area commander Inspector Tony O'Neill said today police had brought in extra staff to "bolster resources" after the fires.

"We've had additional staff down from Dunedin ... so that we can maintain that high profile on a 24/7 basis and deal with any incidents that might arise," he told Radio New Zealand.

He said trouble could break out "this weekend, next month or next year" but police would be ready.

Police and Invercargill City Council had a closed meeting on Wednesday to discuss the escalating gang problems.

Afterwards Mr O'Neill said the "public are okay to go about their business and do their own thing".

"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."

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