Turf wars could follow as the Rebels seek to build their presence. (NZ Herald)
The establishment of a branch of the Australia Rebels in New Zealand could involve fights over territory with rivals says expert.
Rival gangs could be drawn into turf wars as the Australia Rebels seek to gain a foothold in New Zealand.
The Rebels Motorcycle Club is moving in on the Tribesmen and Canterbury University gang researcher, Jarrod Gilbert, says there's probably little authorities can do to stop them."There maybe some territorial conflict if the rebels choose to expand quickly, as they did in Australia and step on other gangs' toes."
He says the Rebels have already been here for some time, but doesn't see any reason to be alarmist about the gang. While gangs and the underworld are closely related he says it's often only a few members who are involved in crime.
Mr Gilbert says it leaves the authorities in a tricky position. "They clearly don't want the rebels here" he says, "but there's very little they can do about it. They'll be diligent, as they always are with the clubs and the gangs, and they'll police them as they need to be policed."
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=189873
