'Enforcement action taken' hours after gang patch ban comes into effect

The Police Minister says "enforcement action" was taken against gang members in Hawke's Bay overnight.

Mark Mitchell told Morning Report gang members, he believed from the Mongrel Mob, came out to test the law at midnight.

"I don't know what the enforcement was but there was enforcement action taken."

Mitchell was adamant the law would make the public and police officers safer.

Police officers support the new law banning gang patches, which came into force today, their union says.

A new gang patch ban, as well as dispersal and non-consorting laws, took effect Thursday.

People caught displaying gang insignia in public from today will be liable for a $5000 fine or up to six months imprisonment.

Police Association vice president Steve Watt told Morning Report an education and engagement programme with gangs had begun last month.

"We're reasonably confident the police have got the resources in place, the process in place.

"We are backing this legislation and ready to enforce it," Watt said.

Officers supported anything that would disrupt gangs, he said.

And he believed the legislation would make New Zealanders feel, and be, safer.

Read more:

• What is a gang patch and what happens now they're banned?

Labour deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni told First Up the ban would not result in less gang members.

"Fundamentally it's not going to change the situation with regards to gangs, so I think this is all just theatrics from the government trying to look tough on crime, the reality is it won't affect the reasons why people get into gangs."

She saw some people with gang patches at the hīkoi on Tuesday and wondered what police would have done in that situation.

"It could have been really harmful for everyone."

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