Gang-related stabbings rumoured in Ashburton

Press, 28 August 1984, Page 5

Gang-related stabbings rumoured in Ashburton

Stabbing incidents were rumoured in Ashburton yesterday after a motor-cycle gang visit at the weekend. Reports of the alleged stabbings varied between two and eight at the morning police conference, but Sergeant N. J. Birse said no complaints had yet been laid. It is believed the gang visited a flat in Moore Street and a party was held on Friday night, that fights broke out and knives

were allegedly drawn and used. A team policing unit from Christchurch worked in Ashburton on Saturday and was involved with inquiries at the Moore Street flat, Sergeant Birse confirmed. Inquiries were continuing. A complaint had been laid regarding a 1971 Triumph motor-cycle, the subject of an apparently attempted arson. Sergeant Birse said the machine, owned by David Neil Hunt, of 267 Moore

Street, was parked in a garage at the address, but someone removed a window to gain access. Materials were pushed into the petrol tank and lit but the flame went out after it had done $75 worth of damage to paintwork. The public toilets in the 246 Shopping Centre had seven windows broken during the week-end. And a sixmetre length of chain was taken from a garage in Moore Street. An air cleaner was also taken.