Gangs Wage War On New Zealand

ACT New Zealand Police Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman today attacked the Government for standing idly by and doing nothing as criminal gangs effectively declare war on law-abiding New Zealanders.

"By their very actions, criminal gangs have waged war on New Zealand for years, and the Government has done nothing as that war escalates," said Dr Newman.

"Figures released in response to my Parliamentary Questions show that gang apprehensions have increased by more than 30 percent since Labour has been in power. This points to a clear increase in gang activity.

"Recent reports also show that not only have attacks on our embattled police force increased, but hospital staff are now in the firing line.

"Violent attacks on hospital staff have largely been attributed to higher use of the street drug methamphetamine. This is at a time when gang apprehensions for drug and anti-social offences have risen - soaring more than 20 percent in a year.

"The Government has ignored this growing problem long enough. War on Iraq occupies its mind. Perhaps it should be looking at the war being waged on its doorstep. Police need the mandate and resources to adopt a zero tolerance approach to crime, and take this war to the gangs," Dr Newman said.

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