The Bermuda Government is following in the footsteps of other countries around the world in mooting anti-gang legislation. Elizabeth Roberts takes a look at what other countries have done to tackle the menace of organised street crime:AustraliaSource: Australian –Institute of CriminologyIn 2008, South Australia passed what Premier Mike Rann proclaimed as “the world’s toughest anti-bikie laws” with the introduction of the Serious and Organised Crime (Control) Act. Aimed at members of motorcycle gangs, the Premier listed highlights of the act as follows:l Gang members who engage in acts of violence that threaten and intimidate the public are guilty of serious offences and find it harder to get bail;l Police can prohibit members of a bikie gang from attending a place, event or area where this would pose a serious threat to the public;l A new law of criminal association prohibits telephone calls as well as meetings in the flesh;l Stalking a person with the intention of intimidating a victim, witness, court official, police officer or public servant is a serious offence;l It is easier for police to secure orders to dismantle fortifications protecting gang clubrooms.The legislation also created new offences of violent disorder (maximum penalty of two years jail); riot (seven years, ten years where aggravated); affray (three years, five years where aggravated) and stalking of public officials by an outlawed motorcycle gang. Similar legislation has also been adopted in other areas of Australia.New ZealandSource: –Te Ara encyclopedia –of New ZealandNew Zealand’s anti-gang legislation dates back to 1972 when a law was introduced prohibiting unlawful assembly. Further legislation in 1976 allowed for the confiscation of vehicles used in offences.In 1974 a specialist police unit called the Task Force was established in Auckland to deal with public drunkenness and violence. Although not specifically an anti-gang measure, the Task Force was used to combat what was seen as a rising problem of hooliganism on Auckland’s streets.In 1997 the Harassment and Criminal Associations Act was passed giving police greater powers.In the 1990s the Local Government Act was used to tear down gang fortifications. Other legislation such as the Proceeds of Crime Amendment Act 2002 and tax laws have been used to deprive criminals of illegally gained wealth. An amendment to the Evidence Act in 1997 empowered judges to allow witnesses to give evidence anonymously if they feared intimidation or attack.In 2008 the Organised and Financial Crime Agency of New Zealand; a special unit within the police, was set up to disrupt and dismantle organised crime. In 2009, the passage of the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act gave police greater powers to seize the proceeds of crime and to use them to fund further policing efforts.In 2009 Wanganui District Council passed a controversial bylaw banning gang patches in the city, and several other cities considered following suit.CanadaSource: Canada OnlineIn June 2009 the Federal Government passed amendments to the Criminal Code to fight violence associated with street gangs and other forms of organised crime.They made murders connected to organised crime activity automatically first-degree, subject to a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment without eligibility for parole for 25 years.They created a new offence for drive-by and other reckless shootings.This offence carries a mandatory minimum sentence of four years in prison, to a maximum of 14 years. The minimum sentence is longer if the offence was committed for a criminal organisation or with a prohibited or restricted firearm.It also created two new offences of aggravated assault against a peace or public officer and assault with a weapon on a peace or public officer. These are punishable by maximum penalties of 14 and ten years respectively.JamaicaSource: –The Jamaica GleanerCabinet in Jamaica has approved proposed anti-gang legislation, although it has not reached Parliament yet. National Security Minister Dwight Nelson said last year the new law aims to dismantle close to 300 “notorious” gangs across the island.According to media reports, Minister of Information Daryl Vaz, said Cabinet approved changes to the original proposed legislation to ensure that it captured all aspects of organised crime.“The additional provisions to be included in the legislation address ... membership in an organised criminal group, the offence of directing an organised group, the offence of establishing or attempting to establish an organised criminal group, and the leadership of an organised criminal group,” he told journalists last year.