Media Statement
For immediate release
Thursday, 10 February 2005

Alexander: Resource police to do job

The fact that the Mangere caravan park closed down by the police yesterday had operated as a "drugs supermarket" for a decade according to the police themselves is indicative of the problem with resourcing them to fight crime properly, United Future's Marc Alexander said today.

"It's closed and that's good, but when the police themselves are saying this has been a problem for 10 years, one wonders what other priorities stopped them from shutting this down years ago," Mr Alexander, United Future's law and order spokesman said.

Mr Alexander also took on Justice Minister Phil Goff in Parliament's question time, asking him why gangs have virtual "free rein" to trade in drugs. Yesterday Mr Alexander unveiled his Criminal Assets Confiscation Bill, which he said would hold gangs, the main source of drugs in New Zealand, to account for their earnings.

He said the Government has been talking the talk, but now needs to start delivering for safer society.

"Emergency call stuff-ups, drug raids after a decade - the Government needs to get serious about law and order and public safety."

Ends.

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