18 Dec 2011

No gang patch ban in Wairoa

3:52 pm on 18 December 2011

The Mayor of Wairoa says his council does not intend to re-visit the idea of introducing a ban on the wearing of gang patches.

Les Probert says the council has contemplated the idea on several occasions during the past year, following a number of shootings and violent assaults in the northern Hawke's Bay town.

The incidents give Wairoa a bad reputation, which is not deserved, he says.

But Mr Probert says banning patches will not make any difference to reducing the tension between rival gang members.

He is sure a meeting he had in Wellington before the election with the Minister of Police has been beneficial.