Four gang members have been arrested and several search warrants carried out across the Hawke's Bay as police respond to gang-related violence across the region.
A Gang Conflict Warrant, put in place on Friday, gave police special powers to search the vehicles of suspected gang members, and to seize firearms, weapons and vehicles.
Two search warrants and four invocations of the Gang Conflict Warrant in Napier and Hastings led to the arrest of four Mongrel Mob members.
Inspector Dean Clifford said it had been a "busy 24 hours" for officers.
"The action overnight was part of our response to recent gang violence in the Hawke’s Bay area and reinforces our message that we won’t be letting up."
Clifford said additional police officers remained on duty as inquiries continued into an assault in Napier and a grievous assault in Hastings, both incidents which sparked the Gang Conflict Warrant.
"The four victims of those incidents are continuing to recover, and we are doing everything we can to find those responsible."
He said police continued to speak with local gang leaders to de-escalate tensions.
"Members of our communities have a right to feel safe and be safe. The recent events are concerning, and that’s why we will continue to have extra staff and a visible presence across the Hawke’s Bay while this is resolved."
Those arrested included a 39-year-old man charged with possession of methamphetamine; a 51-year-old man charged with possession of an offensive weapon; a 37-year-old charged with possession of an offensive weapon and receiving stolen property; and a 39-year-old charged with receiving stolen property.
All were expected to appear in the Hastings District Court in the coming days.
Meanwhile, a Gang Conflict Warrant remained active for Manawatū after police were shot at twice in two days in Palmerston North.
The warrant now covered an area spanning Dannevirke, Feilding, Eketāhuna and Horowhenua.
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