Gang shootings

Seven gang-related shootings in Auckland may soon become nationwide. As a police senior sergeant who taught at the Royal New Zealand Police College I would suggest, unless the Government acts now, police will be killed.

So what needs to be legislated, given we are being given 501 kiwi criminals from Australia, not counting our own gang thugs?

No patched gang member shall wear a patch in public nor associate under any circumstances with any gang member.

Any gang member found in possession of any weapon shall immediately be arrested and sentenced to imprisonment for not less than 10 years.

A full financial review shall be taken of all gang and gang-related finances. These and related vehicles and properties deemed subject to crime will be surrendered to the crown.

Not perfect, but a start. Of course the Government could always appoint a committee at thousands of dollars and report in 2024 when several police officers have been killed.

Ian Hanley Timaru