Police in Whakatane say the gang problem in the town is not getting any worse despite an apparent gang-related incident in which a young boy was assaulted for wearing a red shirt.
Police say a man, who was wearing blue, shouted at the four-year-old playing in Cutler Park to take off his shirt.
The man, described as a clean-shaven Maori in his 20s, with short black hair, then forcibly removed boy's shirt.
Police say the man was initially thought to be a member of the Black Power gang, but may just be part of what they call a "wannabe" youth group.
Officers are looking for the man involved.
