Black Power and Mongrel Mob gangs established a larger presence in Timaru

Black Power and Mongrel Mob gangs (Christchurch-based) have over the past year established a larger presence in Timaru, traditionally the haunt of white motorcycle gangs the Devil's Henchmen and the Road Knights.
Most of the recently patched members in Timaru are locals who have previous affiliations to each of the gangs.
Constant skirmishes between groups of youths in the town, who ally themselves with Black Power or the Mongrel Mob, led police to call a meeting this month to get gang leaders from Christchurch to rein in the unruly elements.
However, after a quiet Christmas, the killing of Wayne Bray, a 26-year-old freezing worker who died in hospital on Wednesday after being beaten up by a group on Saturday, could raise tensions again.
Some of the people charged yesterday with his murder are believed to have loose connections to the Mongrol Mob.
Maria Edwards, of Washdyke, who called a public meeting on escalating gang issues in Timaru in December, warned two years ago that somebody would be killed in the altercations.
She said the latest incident was said not to be directly related to the gangs, but events could go either way.