‘STORMTROOPERS’ WORRY POLICE

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32301, 20 May 1970, Page 1

‘STORMTROOPERS’ WORRY POLICE

New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, May 19.

Police are concerned about the activities of gangs of youths calling themselves “stormtroopers” in the South Auckland area. According to Inspector P. J. Gaines, of the Southern Police Division, the main purpose of the youths is to cause disturbances.

One of their latest outbreaks was at Papatoetoe late on the night of May 8. Police chased a rampaging gang through the town.

’ Inspector Gaines said at least 250 youths, aged between about 15 and 19, had formed themselves into “chapters” in the Mangere, Otara, Otahuhu, and Manurewa areas. Police had also found quite a few 13 and 14-year-old schoolboys in the gangs. The bulk of the gangs consisted of Maoris and some Islanders. About 10 per cent were Europeans. Inspector Gaines said the youths had no respect for pro-

petty or people. They were worse than the teddy boys of a decade agj..

“They are not organised," he said. “They have no specific sets of rules. Someone says let’s do this and they do it.

“An 11-year-old boy interviewed in Mangere about stealing told a police officer he had finished talking to him and added: ‘I will get the stormtroopers on to you.’ “If it has infiltrated down to the 11-year-olds, just how far has it gone?” asked the inspector. He said that a gang recently caused about $l5O damage by jumping on the bonnets, roofs and boots of eight to 10 cars in Otahuhu. On another occasion one gang, acting on orders from their “commander,” burgled a bouse. Some youths later appeared in Court GIVEN RANKS

Inspector Gaines said members of the gangs had given themselves ranks, the highest being a “general,” who lived in Otara. “Members wear leather armbands with swastikas and the words ‘black power.’ A lot of them wear jackets inside out. If and when the occasion suits, they turn them round,” he said. During the last three or four weeks the police had; arrested 20 to 25 gang mem-1 bers for various offences from I assault to burglary. Their; clothing was distinctive—usually dirty shirts and denim gear. Most of them had long hair. “With a bit of incitement; the gangs can turn a crowd!

into a rabble,” he said. “We are concerned at the danger to people and property before we can get there. “We are taking firm measures to stop them getting out of hand.”