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Local police are targeting gangs as part of a national operation that is currently underway.
Operation Tauwhiro focuses on the disruption and prevention of firearms-related violence by gangs and organised crime groups.
Waitemata North area commander, Inspector Mark Fergus, says Police are targeting any gang or organised crime group in the area where there is evidence of offending or gun use. He cannot say whether this includes the Hells Angels motorcycle club based in Silverdale.
“Our role locally is about targeting offending gangs or gang members, looking for opportunities and acting with urgency to recover firearms, as well as focusing on criminal justice interventions to hold offenders to account, and social service interventions to prevent future offending,” Inspector Fergus says. “We look at identifying underlying risk factors and implementing appropriate interventions, and we’ll work with a range of partners and community groups to offer services and support that may address underlying causes of violence and dysfunction.”
“We know that gang violence involving the criminal use of firearms causes a significant impact on the wellbeing of communities. While the Hibiscus Coast and wider Rodney are really safe places to live and work, local Police are working hard to keep it that way,” Inspector Fergus says.
He says the presence of patched motorcycle gangs on the Coast continues to be a concern for residents.
“We continue to actively monitor the activities at the pad in Silverdale, engage and enforce as necessary.”
Police are asking for the community’s help. If you have information, call Police on 105, visit your local police station, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Backstory: June 17, 2020
