File photo Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
An outbreak of gang-related shootings in Bay of Plenty has led police to announce a crack-down using new search powers to turn up the heat on gangs in Ōpōtiki and Whakatāne.
On Labour Day police seized a car in Tauranga, in response to an incident that left a woman with serious injuries after she said her car was shot at in Ōpōtiki on Saturday.
In the week before that, three houses and a car were shot at in Ōpōtiki, the car stolen, and a man with a gun threatened people at an Ōpōtiki house, police have said.
Acting Area Commander Senior Sergeant Tristan Murray said on Labour day that a CAIL warrant had now been issued in response.
The new search powers came into force in April, under the Criminal Activity Intervention Legislation Act 2023 (CAIL), which allows police extra search powers for gang members and their vehicles at "times of conflict.
Murray said the latest shooting, in which the woman was injured in her car, "does appear to be linked to ongoing conflict and tension between Black Power and Mongrel Mob in Ōpōtiki," and enquiries were ongoing.
Police had also made some arrests after the earlier shootings.
Murray said the CAIL warrant was issued by the courts to Ōpōtiki and Whakatāne Police, and "gives officers the ability to search vehicles and places of suspected gang members, and occupants of those vehicles; and to seize firearms, weapons and vehicles."
"Police will continue to take all necessary measures to stamp out this behaviour and hold offenders to account and will be maintaining a highly visible presence across Ōpōtiki and Whakatāne."
Murray called on anyone with information about people illegally possessing firearms or weapons to anonymously report it to Crime Stoppers, on 0800 555 111.
"That information will be acted upon immediately by our police in the community."
