Fresh calls for police officers to be armed, as more guns fall into the hands of criminals.

This comes from a Police Association report as cops take on a second wave of drug and organised crime.

The report said gang members are in possession of a variety of firearms, ranging from hand guns to semi-automatic rifles.

President Chris Cahill said tasers are no match for firearms, and are less effective when dealing with threats.

The Association is urging the Government to support frontline police in carrying tasers and firearms around the clock.

Meanwhile, there's been an embarrassing and expensive blunder by a Napier police officer.

The officer left a fully loaded rifle magazine on the roof of his patrol car on Trinity Crescent last night.

Police are now pleading for it to be returned.

David Craft from Crafty's Rods and Guns store in Hastings said the magazines alone cost several hundred dollars.

"Somebody will be grumpy, somebody will get a severe growling because the thing is totally useless without it - it costs a lot of money to replace those things."