Sky News
Authorities have banned the wearing of outlaw motorcycle gang colours in Sydney's nightclub district amid escalating gun violence between warring sides.
Bikers will also be barred from working in tattoo parlours as part of the crackdown on motorcycle groups, known locally as "bikies", in the Australian state of New South Wales.Barry O'Farrell, the state's premier, said 58 venues in Sydney's Kings Cross would ban the wearing of logos and stripes from the city's 23 rival motorcycle groups.
"This is about sending a clear message that if you're wearing bikie colours, it doesn't make you beyond the reach of the law," Mr O'Farrell said.
"Wearing bikie colours doesn't make you a superhero that protects you from the long arm of the law."
Sydney has been plagued by shootings in recent years , with more than 50 incidents since January 1.
There were two 'drive-bys' on Thursday night and a police van was set alight outside a tattoo parlour, believed to be linked to gang turf wars.
The tattoo parlour ban is the latest in job restrictions on bikies, which includes the tow truck industry, security and casinos.
Police Commissioner Andrew Scipone said: "It gives the police the authority to go down there (to tattoo parlours) when these people have been told to leave and they refuse to quit, arrest them and, if need be, charge them."
The work bans are enforced under anti-extremist style laws outlawing the gangs since 2009.
