Gang violence in Dunedin

Press, 6 December 1985, Page 13

Gang violence in Dunedin

PA Dunedin Increasing violence in Dunedin and rising friction between rival gangs has forced the police to set up a special team to combat and prevent violent incidents.

The team, which will be headed by a senior-sergeant, was being assembled this week.

The move has come after one of the worst week-ends of violence for some years in the Dunedin area. The police made more than 25 arrests, half of them after confrontations between gangs.

After the hectic week-end, police patrols were again called to a gang confronta-

tion, in Cannongate, at 4 a.m. yesterday. There a police constable was attacked by a man wielding a hammer. The constable suffered only a bruised arm but senior police officers are concerned about the severity of the attack, which they said was unprovoked. The deputy district commander in Dunedin, Superintendent G. C. Hill, said he was worried about the number of incidents where weapons were used.

Gangs were re-emerging in Dunedin and showing hostility towards each other.

The special team would step up patrols of potential trouble spots.