NEW ZEALAND, Biker gangs descend on south

OFF THE WIRE
Biker gangs descend on south
The Press Last updated 05:00 20/11/2010SharePrint Text Size 1 commentRelevant offers
A close watch will be kept on two North Island biker gangs that have descended on Canterbury, police say.
The group of about 80 motorcycle riders from Highway 61 and Tribesman clubs travelled from Picton to Christchurch yesterday.
The bikers were stopped at a police checkpoint on State Highway 1, near Waipara, where at least one was arrested.
Christchurch police gang liaison officer Detective Kelvin Holden was not expecting gang problems this weekend.
"You bring your motorbike down from the North Island, [do you want to] get locked up in Christchurch? If you get your bike taken off you, it's all you've got really," he said.
Police would be keeping an eye on things, Holden said.
The bikers were expected to attend a motorcycle show in Ashburton today.
Show organiser Gerald McKenzie said gangs had attended before without incident and would not be turned away.
"We don't hold any prejudice against anyone. It's open to the general public," he said. "A few years ago we had a whole heap [of gangs] with no trouble at all."
Holden said the gangs' interests would likely be "more about the bikes, than anything else".
"With all the families that attend [the show] I think the gangs will be quite respectful," he said.
Ashburton Mayor Angus McKay said the bikers were welcome if there was no trouble.