OFF THE WIRE
JO MCKENZIE-MCLEAN
stuff.co.nz
POLICE CHECKS: Police stop the Rebels at Belfast in Christchurch yesterday.
A motorcycle gang that descended on Christchurch at the weekend were well-behaved, police say.
Inspector Al Stewart said The Rebels spent last night and Saturday night in the city staying at a private address in the suburb of Wigram.
"They have not done anything that's come to our attention.
"They went to a Leithfield pub earlier today and we stopped them on their way back into town at Belfast."
Police conducted breath-alcohol tests and licence checks of 23 riders. All tests were fine, he said.
"It was fantastic. It's good to see they are following the road rules."
The gang would be heading back north today, Stewart said.
The Old Leithfield Hotel publican Jennifer Hills said the gang was "a pleasure" to host.
"A guy came in four days ago to organise it and I said if they behave themselves, I don't have a problem with it. Their money is as good as anyone else's.
"The moment there was trouble they would have been out the door.
"They had more manners than some of my locals. Everyone was please, thank-you, Ma'am ... it was a pleasure," she said.
The Rebels, who have been trying to establish a presence in New Zealand since the start of the year, have attracted police attention throughout the country, but mostly in the North Island.