10. Question No. 10—PoliceMIKE BUTTERICK (National—Wairarapa) to the Minister of PoliceQuestion No. 10—Police10. MIKE BUTTERICK (National—Wairarapa) to the Minister of Police: What commentary has he seen on Police's announcement of the National Gang Unit?Hon MARK MITCHELL (Minister of Police): Overwhelmingly positive commentary. Some have said that it has the potential to make a significant impact. Stuff reported that with 42 percent of gang members linked to reported crimes as a suspect or offender and 18 of percent of serious crimes committed by gang members it's clear New Zealand has a gang problem. This Government is delivering new tools for police like banning gang patches and insignia in public which the unit will be able to use to disrupt and suppress gang activity. The feedback has been so positive that the Labour Party attempted to take credit for the announcement.Mike Butterick: Does he agree with commentary that gangs will ignore police?Hon MARK MITCHELL: Absolutely not. New Zealand has a world-class police force and I have full confidence that the men and women that go to work every day to keep Kiwis safe without fear or favour have the skills training capability and very soon the tools to target disrupt and suppress the gangs and the misery that they cause in our communities.Mike Butterick: Why does he have confidence that police can enforce the new tools the Government is giving them?Hon MARK MITCHELL: Over the last six months police have already shown that they're highly effective in prioritising public safety over gangs. The response to gang convoys has been outstanding. Law-abiding members of the public are having their rights protected over and above those of gang members. Police have also conducted 1668 search warrants; 926 warrantless searches; entered 80102 charges warnings and infringement notices; and seized 661 firearms.Mike Butterick: Would he say that police in jurisdictions where gang patches are banned are just wardrobe police"?Hon MARK MITCHELL: That is a ridiculous statement. This is a piece of wardrobe that creates drive-by shootings and gang conflicts and markets to and targets young men for gang recruitment and to earn the right to wear one you have show that you have the propensity to commit violent crime. There is a trail of tears and victims sitting behind every one of those gang patches. This Government is banning that part of the wardrobe that is clearly designed to intimidate and inflicts misery and violence on communities.Hon Ginny Andersen: How many individuals are recorded as gang members on the National Gang List as of February 2024 and does this represent an increase of 176 individuals since he took office?Hon MARK MITCHELL: I don't have that exact number but I can assure the member of this—that under the previous Government we saw an over 50 percent increase in gang members in this country. We saw a 33 percent increase in violent crime in this country and this Government has come in and we've been very clear about the fact that we are not going to tolerate that. And that is why you're seeing the police being so effective over the last six months in starting to suppress gang members in this country."