Gang member charged after walking into police station wearing a Mongrel Mob hat

Photo: RNZ/Angus Dreaver

A gang member walking into Taumarunui police station wearing a hat with the Mongrel Mob insignia is among recent charges for breaking new laws.

The new gang patch law came into effect last week.

It means gang insignia will be banned in public places, police can break up large groups in public “if they cause fear and intimidation” and police can issue non-consortium orders to restrain gang members for up to three years to unite or communicate. .

Those who break the law will be arrested, their patches will be confiscated and there will be prosecution. Gang membership can now also be an aggravating factor in sentencing.

A 33-year-old man had his cap confiscated and was issued a summons to appear in Taumarunui District Court on charges of displaying gang insignia in a public place after walking into a police station on an unrelated matter .

Overall, police were “very satisfied” with the level of compliance, Assistant Commissioner Paul Basham said.

“The fact that we have pursued a number of different prosecutions proves that police will not hesitate to enforce these laws, and serves as a reminder to those considering wearing or displaying gang insignia to continue making the right choices .”

But some gang members still ignored the rules and wore gang patches in public.

They included a Mongrel Mob member involved in a gun incident in Auckland and a Black Power member involved in a serious attack in Christchurch.