The Police Deputy Commissioner says staff are pleasantly surprised at the effectiveness of banning gang patches.  

Rival gang tensions in Gisborne mean officers have just been given extra powers to search and impound vehicles and seize weapons, following eight incidents in a week.  

Tania Kura told Mike Hosking the gang patch ban has been really good for them. 

She says it's brought more control to the situation, with staff admitting it's probably gone better than they thought.  

However, Kura says this doesn't mean they can rest on their laurels either. 

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