Efforts
to prevent international gang members entering New
Zealand are being seen as futile by a leading
Australian criminologist.
Eleven
overseas Hells Angels members were stopped from
entering New Zealand for the gang's 50th anniversary
celebrations.
The
operation was part of joint efforts by a number of
agencies to prevent gang-related offending.
But
Australia's Victoria University Professor of
Psychology and Social Sciences, Arthur Veno says
refusing entry to New Zealand won't stop
trans-Tasman networking by the gangs.
"The only
thing it does do is stop, or the way the Angels
would see it, is a really good party. It's not going
to stop any crime," he says.
Police
say they don't want them here networking and
strengthening ties with their New Zealand
counterparts.
But Mr
Veno says this sort of action by police has little
impact.
"In this
cyber age, if you look at the internet, it was built
to be unregulateable," he says.
Police checkpoint
on Brentwood Avenue where a Hells Angels
gathering was held on Saturday. Photo /
Herald On Sunday/Jason Dorday.
A
civil liberties lawyer says police went too far
over the weekend when checking residents in an
Auckland street where a Hells Angels gathering
was being held.
Brentwood Avenue
residents say they were photographed and asked
for their address, name, date of birth and job.
Barrister Michael
Bott says most New Zealanders would regard it as
repugnant.
"Because you live
on a street that somehow the police take it upon
themselves to subject you to an intrusive
interrogation to stop you going to and from your
homes which you have a lawful right of access."
Mr Bott says
police have the power to ask your name and
address but to go beyond that and ask about your
occupation and the purpose of your visit, is
disgusting.