9. CHESTER BORROWS (National—Whanganui) to the Minister of Police: What reports has she received regarding the Governments plans to clamp down on criminal gang activity?

Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Police) : I have received a report from New Zealand Police endorsing the Governments plan to clamp down on criminal gang activity. The Gangs and Organised Crime Bill will make it easier for the police to conduct surveillance of gang communications, and will enhance police investigations by enabling interception warrants to be obtained for a wider group of offences committed by gangs. The police will be very pleased to have this tool once it passes through this Parliament.

Chester Borrows: How will the bill help the police to deal with fortified gang premises?

Hon JUDITH COLLINS: The Gangs and Organised Crime Bill will mean that more of these gang fortifications can and will be removed. The police have welcomed the Governments intention to increase the number of successful raids on these fortifications, and the police aim to maximise the effectiveness of this change. The police are also undertaking further work to identify other initiatives to tackle gang fortifications and gang activities.