Police swoop on Wairoa gangs

Police have dealt a blow to gang activities in Wairoa today with the arrest of nine Mongrel Mob members during a targetted operation.

The gang's headquarters in the town and several other properties were searched early today in what police are describing as a concentrated focus on curtailing gang activity in the small Northern Hawke's Bay town. Houses were also searched in Napier and Hastings.

Eastern Police District Manager of Criminal Investigations, Detective Inspector Ross Pinkham, said he was confident today's operation would seriously undermine the gangs' influence in Wairoa.

"Gangs are accepted in this community, but despite that, their violent activities continue to impact on the town and its people. Police will not stand idly by and let them inflict more harm on innocent people," Mr Pinkham said.

The nine arrested today are mostly from the Wairoa and Nuhaka areas. They include a number of senior members of the Mongrel Mob.

They face charges relating to the shooting of a Black Power gang member outside the Wairoa Mob headquarters in October last year. The charges range from wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, participating in a criminal group and offering to supply methamphetamine. No drugs were found during today's searches.

Those arrested will be appearing in the Wairoa, Gisborne and Napier District Courts today.

Police are continuing to investigate the shooting of a Mob member at the Mobil service station in Wairoa a few days after the first gang shooting. Police had received some good information about that after releasing video footage of the shooting last week, but no arrests have been made yet.

Anyone with information about that incident should contact Detective Sergeant Steve Smith at Gisborne police, phone 06 8690200.

Police believe that shooting was carried out by Black Power in retaliation for the first shooting.

"We can't stress enough the importance of information from the public regarding these gang incidents. Our investigations have been hampered by both gangs refusing to co-operate with us and we are relying heavily on witnesses or people who may know something about these incidents. It is well-known that these gangs are involved in organised crime, drugs and inter-gang rivalry - and have done so for many years.

"Our message to the community is if you want to live in a safe environment, you have to help us. People need to come to terms with the fact that there is a serious gang problem in Wairoa," Mr Pinkham said.

Anyone with information about gang activities in the town should contact Detective Sergeant Steve Smith at Gisborne police, phone 06 8690200. Alternatively, information can be supplied anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.