Are the gangs leaving town?

The Wanganui District Council's gang patch bylaw is working so well some gang members are leaving Wanganui, according to anecdotal information from the Wanganui police.

The bylaw – the first of its kind in New Zealand – has been in place for two months.
Wanganui area commander Inspector Duncan MacLeod said nine people had been arrested in that time – seven in September and two in October.

Those arrested included one Tribesman, one Hells Angel, five Mongrel Mob and two Black Power members.

Of these nine, one has been convicted, one has had their charge dropped and seven are still before the courts.

Mr MacLeod said none of those arrested was wearing a gang patch at the time of their arrest, but they were wearing gang insignia or colours.

"There seems to be a level of acceptance among the gangs that they can't wear their patches, that this is how life is."

At a Wanganui District Council community development committee meeting this week, Mr MacLeod told councillors police had received anecdotal evidence some Wanganui gang members were leaving Wanganui for places like Marton, Hunterville and Palmerston North.

"The police in Palmerston North are not happy," Mr MacLeod told councillors.

But Palmerston North area commander Inspector Pat Handcock said the anecdotal information appeared to come from a one-off visit by some patched Wanganui gang members to Palmerston North.

"This visit caused no problems in the city.

"There is absolutely no evidence of an increase in gang members setting up residence in Palmerston North, and if that were the case the police would act to ensure that the city did not become a victim of any [gang] displacement."

However, Wanganui mayor Michael Laws said he had also heard anecdotal evidence that gang members were leaving Wanganui.

"I've heard that the gangs refer to the bylaw as 'the wall'.

"I have been advised by another mayor that gang members have been strutting about with their patches on, and now that mayor is considering introducing a similar bylaw to ours."
He declined to say which mayor he was referring to.

Mr Laws said he was satisfied the bylaw was working.

"I've not heard of any complaints about the bylaw from the public and the police have said it is working well."

The council passed the Wanganui District Council Prohibition of Gang Insignia Bylaw in August, and it came into force in September.
 
The bylaw was allowed after Parliament passed the Wanganui District Council Prohibition of Gang Insignia Act in May.