More gang members and more violence in Central police district

Thursday, 6 September 2018

Kevin Ratana is one casualty of gang conflict this year.

As tensions simmer after a gang-related shooting in Whanganui, it can be revealed the number of gang members in the region is on the rise.

There are 514 gang members in the Central police district, according to police data, up from 450 in 2015.

The Central District stretches from Taranaki to Ōtaki, Tararua and Ruapehu, and includes Manawatū and Whanganui.

Police boosted their presence in Whanganui to reassure the public after Mongrel Mob member Kevin Ratana was shot dead on August 21.

* Whanganui street rocked by another gang shooting

A Mongrel Mob member was shot dead in Whanganui. This member is looking across at the window where the recent shooting took place.

* Sixteen gangs represented in** Manawatū

Gangs in the district include Aotearoa Natives, Devils Henchmen, Head Hunters, Hells Angels, Highway 61, King Cobras, Magog, Outlaws, Road Knights and Tribesmen.

There is also Mongrel Mob, Black Power, Nomads, Mothers, Rebels and Tyrants.

Police gang intelligence centre manager Cathy Toi-Cassidy said gang members were over-represented in violent offending.

There are 27 New Zealand gangs listed on a national gang list recorded by police.

'We have seen gang membership numbers increase in recent years. However, some of that can be attributed to better information and intelligence.'

Gang members came together for the funeral of Kevin Ratana, sparking fears of retaliation and an increased police presence in Whanganui.

She said membership could often be changeable.

'Some gangs have grown and new chapters emerged, where others have decreased in size.'

Police say they want affected communities to feel confident police are doing everything they can to resolve the crimes in Whanganui.

The New Zealand Herald reported the gang intelligence centre figures released in June showed gang violence, nationally, had dropped by 10 per cent.

The only police district where there had been a spike in violence was Central.

Those figures were for violence offences where a recorded gang member or prospect was either an offender or a victim.

Hundreds of Mongrel Mob members were in Whanganui for Ratana's funeral on August 27 and, that same day, eight Black Power members were arrested in a sting after the homicide.

Police said they were facing numerous charges, including threatening to kill, unlawful possession of ammunition and participation in an organised crime group. More charges were likely, they said.

Other gang-related incidents this year included a trio of Hamilton homicides linked to gangs.

'We take any occurrence, such as these incidents, very seriously and are working to ensure people are held to account for these crimes,' said acting Detective Inspector Mike Varnam, who is the gang strategy programme manager for the police.

'We're aware that crime occurring in your community can be unsettling, particularly when gangs are involved.

'However, we want affected communities to feel confident that police are doing everything we can to resolve these crimes and prevent further incidents from occurring.'

Each gang-related incident was different and the investigation team would take whatever action was necessary to respond to it, he said.