Police hope an increased focus on gang activity will pay dividends.  

The gang patch ban has been in force since midnight.  

Police Assistant Commissioner Paul Basham says in the lead up to the ban, there was an increase in reports of gang members wearing their patches prominently in public. 

He says they get reports on criminal behaviour all the time, so this increase was that combined with a heightened awareness from the public. 

Basham told Ryan Bridge the legislation will create opportunities to catch other crimes.  

He says targeting small groups with high offending rates has a disproportionate effect on crime. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Police hope an increased focus on gang activity will pay dividends. &nbsp;
The gang patch ban has been in force since midnight. &nbsp;
Police Assistant Commissioner Paul Basham says in the lead up to the ban, there was an increase in reports of gang members wearing their patches prominently in public.&nbsp;
He says they get reports on criminal behaviour all the time, so this increase was that combined with a heightened awareness from the public.&nbsp;
Basham told Ryan Bridge the legislation will create opportunities to catch other crimes. &nbsp;
He says targeting small groups with high offending rates has a disproportionate effect on crime.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Paul Basham: Police Assistant Commissioner on the increased reports of gang insignia before the ban came into effect

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/03707112-12fe-4703-9d35-b22e0161a272/transcript

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