31 Oct 2010

More police now in Wairoa

9:57 am on 31 October 2010

Police numbers in Wairoa have been reinforced to prevent any escalation in violence in the town.

A man, 17, was shot in the chest outside the headquarters of the Mongrel Mob on Tuesday and another man, 48, was shot twice on a service station forecourt at 6.30pm on Friday.

Napier MP Chris Tremain says he understands the shooting was retaliatory.

It was the fourth gang-related shooting in Wairoa this year.

Sergeant Aubrey Ormond says five members of the Armed Offenders Squad have lifted police numbers in Wairoa to eight officers.

Mr Tremain says he will meet the police and Mayor Les Probert on Wednesday to look at what action can be taken, and that may include the banning of patches.

He says he will be guided by the wishes of the people of Wairoa.