Gang under attack as truce shattered

Press, 2 April 1985, Page 1

Gang under attack as truce shattered

An attack on the Black Power headquarters in Christchurch last evening appears to have shattered a truce reached at the week-end.

Police and traffic officers cordoned a big area near the Colombo Street, St Albans, premises of the Black Power gang after reports of the firing of a shot, and throwing of bottles or other objects. The incident happened about 8.35 p.m. All traffic in the area was diverted and residents who lived near the gang house were not allowed to return home. The police, including the armed offenders squad and dog-handlers, were at the scene in force. Inspector Mel Griebel said late last evening that three car-loads of people had driven past the gang headquarters and objects

had been thrown at the place. At one stage a shot was fired. The objects thrown were not petrol bombs, said Mr Griebel. A neighbour said it appeared that bottles were thrown at the house. It seemed that no-one was hurt in the incidents. The police late last evening were talking to the occupants of the house, and to some persons who were believed to have been in the cars. The gang headquarters were searched but late last evening the police had not reported finding weapons. A police watch was being kept on the house overnight. A neighbour to the gang house said that she heard a

“big bang,” and then saw smoke about 8.35 p.m. Her flatmate immediately telephoned the police. She said she believed that about 17 people lived in the gang house. The Black Power gang and another group, the Mongrel Mob, have been at loggerheads after the fatal stabbing in Christchurch last week of a woman associate of the Mongrel Mob. A neighbour said that'the house now occupied by the Black Power gang was until recently the headquarters of the Mongrel Mob.