A former Police Minister is declaring his support for a loosening of citizen's arrest laws. 

The Government is set to announce a retail crime strategy re-jig based on an advisory group's recommendations, which include making it easier for people to arrest others. 

Currently they can only occur at night between 9pm and 6am, for crimes with a maximum punishment of at least three years in prison. 

Stuart Nash told Mike Hosking hard working Kiwis have their hands tied while crime is being committed, and it's crazy that they can't do anything. 

However, he says they have to be proportionate, and can’t become an excuse for beating others up. 

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