Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER
A Gang Conflict Warrant already in place for Levin has been extended to cover Manawatū as well after police were fired on twice in two days in Palmerston North.
On both occasions, shots were fired at patrol cars as officers tried to stop suspicious vehicles.
Central Districts police commander Superintendent Dion Bennett said the extended warrant gave police more powers to search gang members.
It now covered an area spanning Dannevirke, Feilding, Eketāhuna and Horowhenua.
"Despite the fact it has a wide zone, we are thoughtful and professional around how we apply this legislation," he said.
Recent troubles in Levin, and now Palmerston North, came amid tensions between the Nomads and Mongrel Mob gangs.
"The Gang Conflict Warrant enables police to search vehicles associated with the Nomads and Mongrel Mob.
"It allows us to search people who are Nomads and Mongrel Mob members."
Under the warrant's powers four arrests were made overnight in Palmerston North, Bennett said.
They were for minor offences related to possessing offensive weapons.
Officers shot at twice in two days
When the driver of a speeding vehicle failed to stop for police on Highbury Avenue in Palmerston North about 1.30am on Monday, a passenger leaned out the window and shot five or six times towards the chasing police car.
No one was injured.
After the Armed Offenders Squad was called out, and road spikes were used successfully, the car was found abandoned and a gun was found on the side of a road.
Police dogs led officers to a property and a man was taken into custody, appearing in court on Monday.
The first incident, at 4.20am on Sunday, happened after police were called by someone who said they were following their stolen vehicle through Palmerston North.
The first vehicle then doubled back, drove towards a police car following on, and an officer heard what he thought was the "discharge of a firearm", police have said.
A bullet hole was later found in the front of the police car, near a headlight.
Bennett said inquiries into that incident were continuing.
There were no further shootings in Palmerston North since Monday morning, he said.
The police vehicle involved in Sunday's incident was being examined.
"No police officer expects to come to work and be shot at as part of their daily routine," Bennett said.
"The officers involved are resilient, quite stoic about it, and I'm pleased to say the support they've had from their colleagues and from the police organisation has ensured they are in a good space.
"While the events in Levin and Palmerston North are very similar, we're yet to establish a connection between Levin and Palmerston North - that is, a connection between the people involved in Levin, and Palmerston North shooting at police."
Bennett said the police inquiry would establish if there were links and what the motivation was for the Palmerston North shootings.
Levin quietens, police say
The Gang Conflict Warrant was initially in place after gang-related shootings in Levin that began on 18 August.
That day a man turned up to a healthcare centre with a gunshot wound to his thigh and was taken to Palmerston North Hospital in a serious condition.
That night police were called after a drive-by shooting toward a house on Hinemoa Street, before a shed was shot at on Mabel Street the next day.
Then, a person was found on Bartholomew Road with serious injuries from a gunshot wound.
Another house, on Vincent Drive, was fired at on 23 August, and last week a further arrest was made after reports of gunshots from a house on Mabel Street.
"I'm pleased to report there have been no further incidents in Levin and it has been quiet over the past two nights," Bennett said.
"There have been no further shooting incidents in Levin since last week."
He couldn't confirm how many extra staff were coming in from the wider Central District, for operational reasons, but said they would remain in place until police were satisfied gang tensions were calmed.
Bennett said on the whole Levin was safe.
"The focus of our operation has been on the Nomads and Mongrel Mob, who have some ongoing tensions, both internal and between each other.
"It's never been, from what I can see, about the public. I encourage Levin residents to carry on their daily lives as per normal."
Police had offered to mediate between gangs, or gang factions.
Bennett said the offer was still open, but no one had taken police up on it.
"We're taking a firm approach to policing the Nomads and the Mongrel Mob and we want to see an end to the senseless violence as quickly as possible," Bennett said.
"Our efforts to date all indicate we are having the desired effect."
