A Gang Conflict Warrant already in place for Levin has been extended to cover Manawatū as well after police were fired on twice in two days in Palmerston North.
On both occasions, shots were fired at patrol cars as officers tried to stop suspicious vehicles.
Central Districts police commander Superintendent Dion Bennett said the extended warrant gave police more powers to search gang members.
It now covered an area spanning Dannevirke, Feilding, Eketāhuna and Horowhenua.
“Despite the fact it has a wide zone, we are thoughtful and professional around how we apply this legislation,” he said.
Recent troubles in Levin, and now Palmerston North, came amid tensions between the Nomads and Mongrel Mob gangs.
“The Gang Conflict Warrant enables police to search vehicles associated with the Nomads and Mongrel Mob.
“It allows us to search people who are Nomads and Mongrel Mob members.”
Under the warrant’s powers four arrests were made overnight in Palmerston North, Bennett said.
They were for minor offences related to possessing offensive weapons.
Officers shot at twice in two days
When the driver of a speeding vehicle failed to stop for police on Highbury Avenue in Palmerston North about 1.30am on Monday, a passenger leaned out the window and shot five or six times towards the chasing police car.
No one was injured.
After the Armed Offenders Squad was called out, and road spikes were used successfully, the car was found abandoned and a gun was found on the side of a road.
Concerns are growing in the community amid rising tensions between the Mongrel Mob and the Nomads. (Source: 1News)
Police dogs led officers to a property and a man was taken into custody, appearing in court on Monday.
The first incident, at 4.20am on Sunday, happened after police were called by someone who said they were following their stolen vehicle through Palmerston North.
The first vehicle then doubled back, drove towards a police car following on, and an officer heard what he thought was the “discharge of a firearm”, police have said.
A bullet hole was later found in the front of the police car, near a headlight.
Bennett said inquiries into that incident were continuing.
rnz.co.nz
