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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Eva Corlett in Wellington and Serena Solomon

New Zealand gangs may be forced to cover facial tattoos with makeup, incoming government says

A Mongrel Mob Member shows the back of his waistcoat
New Zealand’s incoming government has said it will crack down on gangs, including proposals to extend police search powers. Photograph: Sarah Bicknell/Hawkes Bay Today

New Zealand’s gangs may have to cover up offensive tattoos with makeup if the incoming government’s crackdown on gang activity goes ahead.

On Thursday, the National party’s police spokesperson, Mark Mitchell, told the national broadcaster RNZ that if its proposed ban on gang patches – large insignia sewn on to jackets, for example – does not work, then it would consider making gang members apply foundation over their facial tattoos, or face arrest.

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