Bill to increase gang related sentences introduced

A bill to increase sentences for criminal gang membership and make participation an aggravating factor at sentencing was introduced to Parliament yesterday.

National has already said it would support the Government's Organised Crime (Penalties and Sentencing) Bill.

The bill will amend the Crimes Act to increase the maximum penalty for participation in an organised criminal group from five years jail to 10 years.

That penalty change would also allow interception warrants to be sought for investigations into such participation.

The bill also amends the Sentencing Act to make it an aggravating factor "when an offence is committed partly or wholly because of the offender's participation in an organised criminal group".

Justice Minister Annette King earlier this week said the amendments were part of a broader strategy that included the establishment of the Organised and Financial Crime Agency, which is set to start operation on July 1.

A spokesman for National leader John Key said the party would support the bill, which appeared to mimic its own policy.

He said it appeared the Government had brought out the bill in a bid to head off National's criticism of the Government's record on organised crime.

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