TV One Agenda Issues

GOVT MAY SUPPORT BORROWS AMENDMENT

The Government says it may support Chester Borrow’s bill aimed at tackling gangs.

Speaking on TVOne’s Agenda programme today, Police Minister Annette King said the government would give serious attention to Chester Borrows amendment.

"Bring the bill, let us see it, we are prepared to look at measures that crack down on these criminals - when it arrives at Parliament we will certainly give it serious consideration."

Ms King said banning gangs or patches by itself is not a solution, but could be part of the armory to tackle the gang problem.

"What will we do with those that don't wear patches, does that mean we don't have gangs, or that they don't exist? No - you've got to be realistic about it”

The minister understands the bill is to be focused on banning gang insignia, but says that this may be problematic.

“What will you then say is an insignia? You've got to look seriously at how well you can make it work.”

PARENTS WATCH OUT

A school principal is urging parents to keep an eye on what their children put on their own personal web pages.

Tina Herrick, principal of Taieri College told the TVOne Agenda programme that children can endanger themselves by using websites like Bebo.

Bebo, which is similar to MySpace allows users to create their own profile page, upload photos and post comments online.

Ms Herrick explained that may students post their photos online, and include information that could leave children open to being exploited by child predators.

“One of my young girls who had got a fairly provocative photograph of herself in her school uniform [her Bebo page] had received 547 hits.”

She says there are things that parents can do to minimize the risk to their children;

“I think having the computer in the child’s bedroom is possibly not a helpful thing.”

Ends

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