Wellington, May 7 NZPA - The threat of losing their patch if they wear it in banned areas will lead to gangs changing their behaviour, Police Association president Greg O'Connor says.

Parliament yesterday passed legislation giving Wanganui District Council the power to ban gang patches in some areas.

Mr O'Connor believed it would have a huge effect on the intimidation factor of gangs.

"You don't go down to Woolworths and buy a patch. These people have to commit serious crime to get it, so they'll be doing what they can to hold on to it," he told Radio New Zealand.

"The gangs will now change their behaviour. You won't see them strutting their stuff."

Mr O'Connor accepted that the legislation was "no silver bullet" but said it was a start.

"While it is not going to have gang members quivering in their boots, it is going to annoy them," he said.

Mr O'Connor predicted many other towns, particularly provincial centres, would follow Wanganui's lead -- a view backed by Wanganui Mayor Michael Laws.

"I've talked to mayors throughout the country who have been waiting for Wanganui's lead. The flow-on effects will be huge," he said.

"New Zealand is saying that gangs are an alien and criminal menace in our midst, that they are home grown terrorists and that our society has had enough."

The bill passed 62 to 59 with the crucial backing of ACT MPs -- leader Rodney Hide, David Garrett and John Boscawen. Their colleagues Sir Roger Douglas and Heather Roy opposed it, as did Labour, the Greens, the Maori Party, and Jim Anderton.

The bill was introduced last year by local National MP Chester Borrows on behalf of the council.

It gives local authorities the power to ban gang patches in public places including the CBD, parks and reserves. Fines of up to $2000 can be imposed for breaches.

Mr O'Connor said no one would get a $2000 fine -- but they would lose their patch.

"The important thing is going to be the arrest, putting them in the cells and, most importantly, taking the patch," he said.

"For a start, it'll be evidence and you're not going to get it back."

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