National Party targets gang membership

The National Party's justice spokesperson, Paul Goldsmith, says an increase in gang numbers and their growing presence in our communities is behind their policy to make gang membership an aggravating factor for any case that comes before the courts. Yesterday Mr Goldsmith and National leader Christopher Luxon announced the policy, which would ensure a judge must take gang membership into account during sentencing, regardless of whether it played a part in the crime. The police minister, Ginny Anderson, says much of what National wants is already law. He admitted there is no specific evidence to suggest judges are not already taking gang membership into account during sentencing He spoke with Corin Dann.