Twelve people were arrested and more than 180 infringement notices were issued as police monitored a gang gathering in rural Nelson today.
Just one of the dozen arrests was for wearing gang insignia which became illegal under legislation that came into force last week.
Other arrests were for breaching bail and release conditions, drug possession, and driving offences.
Three vehicles were impounded by police and 182 infringement notices were handed out.
Around 2800 breath screening tests had been conducted at checkpoints around the Nelson area since Friday morning. Just two returned over the legal limit.
Tasman district commander Superintendent Tracey Thompson said locals that officers spoke to were “pleased and reassured” by police presence at the event.
She said police were “generally pleased” with the attendees’ compliance with the law.
“Our message to gang members is simple – we will not hesitate to enforce the law, including the new Gangs Act, and the way to avoid our further attention is to comply with the law.
“It’s pleasing to see that, on the whole, most are doing so, and we want to reassure the public that we will continue to hold people who break the law to account.”
A large number of attendees at the gang gathering have left Nelson today but police will maintain a presence in the area into tomorrow.
