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Saturday, October 16, 2010

Cops told to go soft on outlaw motorcycle gang the Rebels

OFF THE WIRE
Australia
Members of the Rebels Motorcycle Club ride together. Picture: Ray Strange Source: Herald Sun

POLICE ordered to take a softly-softly approach to an outlaw motorcycle gang ignored bikies riding at up to 140km/h, they said yesterday.

At least 16 police cars and a helicopter costing $4000 an hour were used to "monitor" the Rebels bikies as they rode through Victoria late last week.

Police involved in tracking more than 400 bikies down the Hume Highway said yesterday they were told not to intercept them for minor traffic infringements.

Inters tate Rebels members on their way to Victoria for the national run were stopped twice in NSW for alcohol and drug tests, roadworthy and registration checks and checks for outstanding warrants.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the bikies had been "monitored, not escorted", and no incidents of speeding had been reported, but several police involved in the operation have told the Herald Sun speeds of up to 40km/h over the limit were ignored.

One said he had seen bikies in the convoy travelling up to 140km/h almost a dozen times, but could not take action because of official instructions.

Police from Wodonga, Wangaratta, Shepparton, Benalla, Seymour, Craigieburn and Fawkner were involved in last Friday's operation.

Police association secretary Greg Davies said some members were "less than impressed" at being directed to ride shotgun for the mob instead of enforcing the laws of the land.

"It's astonishing the difference in police attitudes in NSW, where they deal with these people appropriately, and Victoria, where we are reduced to providing an escort for a royal tour of the state," Sen Sgt Davies said.

A police spokeswoman said the Rebels were expected to ride to Mildura, where extra resources had been placed and "interception activities" planned.

But police plans had to be changed on Friday when they learned the bikies and 30 support vehicles would be heading to Melbourne instead.

The Rebels have a clubhouse in Sunshine West, where police and ambulance crews were called to attend an injured man on Saturday morning.

When they got to the clubhouse, in an industrial estate, they were told they were not required and that the man's injuries had been self-inflicted with a knuckle duster.

The Rebels is Australia's largest outlaw motorcycle group, with about 2000 members and at least 70 chapters across Australia.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/cops-told-to-go-soft-on-outlaw-motorcycle-gang-the-rebels/story-e6frf7kx-1225938357587