Simon Bridges National Party Leader simonbridges.co.nz

I recently held a public meeting on gangs with National's Justice spokesperson Mark Mitchell.

Given the LA style gang warfare we've seen in Tauranga recently, it was important for the community to come together in response to the increasing number of gang related incidents.

I outlined what a National Government would do to crack down on gangs. We've put forward a number of proposals, like banning gang patches in public places and a taskforce similar to Strike Force Raptor in New South Wales, aimed at harassing and disrupting gangs every day.

A Mongrel Mob PR person also attended arguing that the Mob isn't a violent group.
If that's the case, then why is it that the methamphetamine numbers are rising through
the roof?

If the Mob aren't violent, then why won't they hand in their illegal weapons?

Why are we seeing gang membership continue to climb?

The Government needs to be supporting our communities.

Police Minister Stuart Nash is satisfied with the response so far, but if anything the violence is only escalating.

National doesn't want to see the presence of gangs continue to spread like a cancer.
We will be releasing a gang action plan this year with more policies focused on getting rid
of gangs.

Unlike Labour, the Greens and New Zealand First, National will put the safety of our communities first. Gangs do nothing but peddle misery and intimidate New Zealanders, it's time we put a stop to them.