Gang alleges harassment

Press, 20 December 1978, Page 12

Gang alleges harassment

PA Auckland! The Headhunters gang says it will lay a formal complaint with the police about the way a special task force allegedly treated at least two or its members who were being held for questioning on Friday night. The gang alleges that one of its members was punched at the Henderson Police Station and suffered severe bruising round the ribs as a | result. They further allege that the police still have two Headi hunter gang patches and one i Mongrel Mob patch. They allege that the actions ‘ of the police are jeopardising, rather than improving, the chances of gang peace in Auckland. The leader of the’ gang, Mr W. W. Anania, said that certain gangs could not help but be suspicious of other gangs who were apparently being left alone by the police in their efforts to ease tensions in recent gang confrontations. “We are prepared to cooperate and let the matter lie if the police return our patches,” he said. At a meeting of gang leaders he said there had been an agreement to “cool things down” until the police indi-

cated whether they were going to return the gang patches. He said three members of his gang had been taken to the Henderson station bvi members of the special task] force, set up to try to defuses the gang situation. “They were just out to I harass us and I feel we cannot trust them. I am worried! that this could start trouble between our gang and thei police,” Mr Anania said. The member allegedly! beaten up said he was I punched in the neck and I ribs. His patch was also pulled off. He said after being charged by the police with possession Of marijuana that he was given bail and went to the accident and emergency department of the Auckland Hospital. He says that after being examined there he was told he had severe bruising. “All I want is my patch back. If not, I’ll strike out at every policeman I see. My patch is more important than my wife,” he said. A spokesman for the Auckland police said that no complaint had been received from the gang. If and when one was received, the matter would be investigated.