NT: Package of anti-gang laws introduced in the NT

AAP General News (Australia)
12-20-2006
NT: Package of anti-gang laws introduced in the NT

By Tara Ravens

DARWIN, Dec 20 AAP - Gang members who use violent behaviour to create fear in Northern
Territory communities now face a year behind bars if they are caught by police.

Tough new powers to crack down on gangs came into effect today, following violent riots
at an Aboriginal community earlier this year.

Fifty-five people were arrested in Wadeye, about 400km south-west of Darwin, after
rioting by rival gangs in May this year.

Chief Minister Clare Martin today said the new legislation targeted criminal groups
and would disrupt gang activity before it escalated into rioting or property damage.

"These new laws will enable police to crack down on gang activity right across the
territory," she said.

The Anti-Gang Laws create three new offences.

These include loitering, which is aimed at youth street gangs and will give police
the power to issue notices to juveniles to stay away from an area for up to 72 hours.

It carries a penalty of up to six months jail.

The violent disorder offence targets gangs like those in Wadeye, where people use violent
behaviour to create fear in communities.

It carries a penalty of one year in prison and allows police to move against suspected
rioters before a riot erupts.

The consorting between known offenders law carries a penalty of two years jail and
is designed to disrupt organised criminal operations, such as drug dealers, from contacting
each other after serving sentences.

"Police have been well trained to implement these new laws and the changes will make
the territory a safer place," NT Police Minister Chris Burns said.

Existing laws have also been strengthened, such as tougher bail and sentencing conditions
to prevent people from associating with others, or from being in certain areas.

The Riot Act has also been simplified to make it easier for police to disperse rioters.

The legislation comes on the back of yesterday's crime statistics that showed an overall
rise in crime across the territory.

"The crime rate in the territory has jumped by almost 12 per cent," said Opposition
Leader Jodeen Carney.

"In the last 12 months there were more than 5,000 crimes against the person, whilst
property crime pushed through the 20,000 mark."

"Territorians are now less safe wandering down to the shops to get a carton of milk
after dark or walking along the beachfront in search of an evening breeze."

But Mr Burns deflected Country Liberal Party claims that increasing crime was undermining
the territory's easy going way of life.

"House break-ins decreased by 50 per cent and overall property offences have decreased
by 33 per cent over the past six years," he said.

Assaults have also fallen three per cent compared to the previous quarter, although
it increased by 15 per cent compared to the previous 12 months.

AAP tr/jt/de

KEYWORD: GANGS

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