80 gang arrests at Gisborne

Press, 16 April 1979, Page 2

80 gang arrests at Gisborne

More than 80 Mongrel Mob end Headhunter gang members were arrested by the Gisborne police last evening. They will be charged in the Magistrate’s Court at Gisborne. probably today, with disorderly behaviour, if a special sitting can be arranged.

The incident happened soon after 7 pun. in the central city, but fighting was minimal, according to the police. The gangs are in Gisborne for an Easter convention. About 150 descended on a handful of policemen, who were forced to withdraw and call in reinforcements.

The trouble erupted outside the Albion Hotel at 3.30 p.m. when the police moved in to arrest a gang member for alleged offensive behaviour in a public place.

About 150 members of the Mongrel Mob and Headhunters gangs, who were in Gisborne for a convention descended on a handful of policemen, who were forced i to withdraw and call in rein-; forcements. When these arrived there I was a five-minute struggle I before the police gained con-! trol.

Bottles were thrown at police. One policeman was I slightly injured and a police! car was damaged. Main Street was cordoned! off for almost an hour.

Inspector L. de L. Graham; held a quickly arranged conference with several of the [ gang leaders while the police and gang members still confronted each other in the nearby Main Street.

After the conference, the; gang members returned to! their encampment at the! mouth of the Waipaoa i River, on the Waikanael Beach foreshore.

inspector Graham said one; person had been arrested at! the start of the trouble and! four were arrested later.