Stop Gangs, Stop Future William Bells

ACT New Zealand Police Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman today demanded that the Government outlaw all New Zealand gangs to prevent more murders like the RSA triple killing.

"Reports state that Bell was a heavy user of the drug Pure - a derivative of methamphetamines manufactured and distributed by gangs," said Dr Newman.

"These drugs make murder time bombs out of individuals who, like Bell, are already predisposed toward violence. While the Probation Service must bear some responsibility for Bell's actions, so too must the Government.

"An inability to deal with gangs means the Government must take some responsibility for the RSA killings. Labour's failure to outlaw gangs, and adequately fund the police, has given gangs free rein. It is small wonder that experts predict an explosion in gang activity.

"Already the Government hides behind figures showing a 30 percent increase in gang apprehensions - yet it refuses to acknowledge that such figures also clearly indicate a rise in gang offences.

"It is time the Government stamped out gang activity by giving police the mandate and resources to adopt a zero tolerance approach to crime. Outlawing gangs would signal to the country that the Government does not want another William Bell.

"Failure to do so would simply prove that the Government is weak - or maybe Labour just doesn't want to damage its voter base," Dr Newman said.

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