OFF THE WIRE
Rebels and Tribesmen gang members "eyeballed" each other in Kaikohe.
Northland police were quick to stifle trouble between rival gangs during the commemoration of the 172nd anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.
There were a couple of potential flashpoints involving Tribesmen and Rebel motorcycle gang members in the Mid North over the weekend and during Waitangi Day on Monday, but nothing which police weren't ready to deal with, the police operation commander for Waitangi 2012, Senior Sergeant Justin Rogers, said yesterday.
Historically a number of gangs, some of them from outside Northland, came to Waitangi for the Waitangi Day commemoration every year, he said
"Police plan for that eventuality.
"We have more than enough police officers who monitor the gangs during the celebrations and we can deal with any incidents that arise," Mr Rogers said.
Police communicate with the gangs and we make it clear what expectations we have of their behaviour, so everyone can have have a peaceful and enjoyable Waitangi Day."
Police were called to a Kaikohe service station after rival gang members began "eyeballing" each other on the forecourt about 3.15pm on Saturday.
About 40 Tribesmen gang members pulled into the Caltex service station on Broadway, in Kaikohe, when two members of opposing gang the Rebels stopped.
Kaikohe police Senior Sergeant Arthur McLean said the Tribesmen members had just ridden through a checkpoint on Mangakahia Rd, where officers checked drivers' licences and ensured bikes were roadworthy.
Police were called to a Kaikohe service station after rival gang members began "eyeballing" each other on the forecourt about 3.15pm on Saturday.
About 40 Tribesmen gang members pulled into the Caltex service station on Broadway, in Kaikohe, when two members of opposing gang the Rebels stopped.
Kaikohe police Senior Sergeant Arthur McLean said the Tribesmen members had just ridden through a checkpoint on Mangakahia Rd, where officers checked drivers' licences and ensured bikes were roadworthy.
Knives were seized from members of the group, believed to be from the Murupara chapter.
Mr McLean said the large group of riders had been shadowed by a police team.
At the service station, the two gangs had been eyeballing each other, so Kaikohe police were called, he said.
No one was arrested. It was believed the Tribesmen had travelled to Horeke, but at Paihia on Monday police spoke to about 20 members of the gang passing through the town, reminding them of rules surrounding the Waitangi Day celebrations.
Police established a brief loose cordon around the Caltex service station in Paihia when the Tribesmen motorcyclists stopped in the town at about noon.
Detective Inspector Geoff Scott said police spoke to members of the gang to lay out the rules for those going to Te Tii Marae.
No gang patches were permitted on the marae, and all visitors were expected to behave cordially.
Mr Scott said the gang members he spoke to were happy to comply with the rules.
Members of the Rebel motorcycle gang were also in the area, but police said there had been no reports of any trouble.
http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/news/watchful-eye-kept-on-bikies/1266218/
Mr McLean said the large group of riders had been shadowed by a police team.
At the service station, the two gangs had been eyeballing each other, so Kaikohe police were called, he said.
No one was arrested. It was believed the Tribesmen had travelled to Horeke, but at Paihia on Monday police spoke to about 20 members of the gang passing through the town, reminding them of rules surrounding the Waitangi Day celebrations.
Police established a brief loose cordon around the Caltex service station in Paihia when the Tribesmen motorcyclists stopped in the town at about noon.
Detective Inspector Geoff Scott said police spoke to members of the gang to lay out the rules for those going to Te Tii Marae.
No gang patches were permitted on the marae, and all visitors were expected to behave cordially.
Mr Scott said the gang members he spoke to were happy to comply with the rules.
Members of the Rebel motorcycle gang were also in the area, but police said there had been no reports of any trouble.
http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/news/watchful-eye-kept-on-bikies/1266218/
