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Councillor calls for better Police action around gangs at Te Mata Peak

Author
Newstalk ZB ,
Publish Date
Thu, 9 May 2019, 5:36PM
Mongrel Mob members took over the peak over the weekend. (Photo / Facebook)

Councillor calls for better Police action around gangs at Te Mata Peak

Author
Newstalk ZB ,
Publish Date
Thu, 9 May 2019, 5:36PM

There are calls for Police take more control of the Te Mata Peak situation.

Police were forced to close the road to the peak for several hours on Saturday out of concerns for public safety, while mob members performed a patching ceremony.

Police and the Hastings District Council have now agreed to work with gang leaders to ensure the peak can be enjoyed at all. 

Councillor Damon Harvey says that the road was closed for several hours, but it is still unclear how the event unfolded. 

He told Mike Yardley it appears Police don't now how to deal with the situation.

"There is a law that if there's been a gathering of more than five people and it's an intimidating situation, they can act. But apparently they've tried in the past and with little success. So they are a little bit reluctant of using that as a way of toning down what's going on."

Harvey says that Police received a tip off on Friday afternoon, and put six officers on to manage the situation. 

He says that the gang members were doing burn outs and drinking up the peak, and has received communication from the public that they felt uncomfortable. 

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