A heavy police presence in Wanganui following the shooting of a 2-year-old girl this month appears to have helped suppress gang tensions in the city.
Area commander Inspector Duncan MacLeod said it was quiet in Wanganui over the weekend.
He said few staff working on the investigation into
the murder of Jhia Harmony Te Tua had taken a break since inquiries began and there was plenty more work to do in terms of door knocking and executing warrants.
Inquiry head Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Bensemann said yesterday police were making good headway and were confident of solving the murder.
He said the first apparent incident in the lead-up to the shooting last Saturday week in the suburb of Gonville happened at a rugby league match at Lundon Park between 2.30pm and 4pm.
"It appears that there was a confrontation between members of the Mongrel Mob and Black Power on the park where weapons were brandished and threats made," Mr Bensemann said.
"This was followed by a further incident in which it has been alleged a vehicle was used in Polson or Thatcher Sts in an attempt to run over members of the Black Power."
Police were still keen to hear from anyone who witnessed either incident.
Jhia's father is a Black Power gang member, and four Mongrel Mob members are in custody charged with offences relating to those incidents.
Meanwhile, Wanganui Mayor Michael Laws says he wants the momentum in addressing the city's gang problem to continue.
He says the "We Love Wanganui" rally last week was positive, as was the acknowledgement by local iwi that they had a leadership role to play in the situation.
- NZPA
