Police have been closely monitoring areas of Whakatane today after reports were received about heavy Black Power presence in the CBD.

A Police media spokesperson says that a number of sightings of gang members, believed to be of the Wellington chapter of the Black Power, were reported to Police today.

'At about 3pm today Police received reports about gang members on the Strand in Whakatane acting in an intimidating way,” says a Police media spokesperson.

'They were all moved on and Police were set up in mobile areas to move them on.”

Earlier in the day, Police also carried out various foot patrols after receiving a number of calls from concerned members in public, says Police.

'A traffic offense was also reported to have occurred on Commerce St near Countdown supermarket.”

'A vehicle was impounded and towed.”

No further details are available at this stage.