OFF THE WIRE
NSW Police are continuing their crackdown on bikie gxxgs with raids on 18 homes and businesses, and enforcing new laws that ban club patches inside pubs and clubs in Kings Cross.
Transcript
EMMA ALBERICI, PRESENTER: New South Wales Police are continuing their crackdown on bikie gxxgs.
This morning, officers from Strike Force Kinnarra conducted raids on 18 homes and businesses, while tonight they're enforcing new laws in Kings Cross that prevent bikies form wearing their club patches inside pubs and clubs.
A lawyer for the Nomads and Hells Angels says the crackdown isn't justified.
Steve Cannane reports.
STEVE CANNANE, REPORTER: Kings Cross has a long history of tolerating just about anybody. But from tonight, new laws make it illegal for members of outlaw motorcycle gxxgs to wear their colours in pubs, clubs, and restaurants here.
ANDREW SCIPIONE, NSW POLICE COMMISSIONER: We'll be certainly enforcing the new colours arrangements and my advice is that if you're asked to leave by a licensed venue owner, then you should do it.
STEVE CANNANE: The new laws are part of a range of measures to crack down on bikie gxxgs, and the bikies aren't impressed.
WAYNE BAFFSKY, COUNSEL, UNITED MOTORCYCLE COUNCIL: The laws to keep people from wearing colours in Kings Cross is targeting every outlaw motorcycle club, but it doesn't target the people responsible for whatever it is the police are targeting.
STEVE CANNANE: Though a confrontation with police over the laws tonight in Kings Cross seems unlikely, things weren't so peaceful in western Sydney this morning. 160 police took part in raids targeting 18 homes and businesses associated with outlaw motorcycle clubs, including the home of former Nomads leader, Sam Ibrahim.
The raid follows eight shootings over the last two weeks, which police believe are part of a turf war between rival clubs.
MAL LANYON, ACTING ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER: Today's operation is clearly a status of what the New South Wales Police will do to any groups that want to use violence and endanger members of the public. We will not stop until the violence stops.
STEVE CANNANE: Police seized two firearms, knuckledusters, and drugs. Only two men were arrested. Wayne Baffsky says there was no justification for searching so many properties.
WAYNE BAFFSKY: But certainly from what they've ,discovered which is absolutely minimal, and I presume it's only from one location, I don't see how they justified the other 17 houses. It seems to be a big show put on to try and make the public think the police are doing something.
STEVE CANNANE: In a move that has outraged New South Wales Premier Barry O'Farrell, former Nomads boss Scott Orrock has walked free from Silverwater Jail. He was granted bail after being charged with torching a police wagon in front of his tattoo parlour. The DPP will appeal against the bail decision.
Video: http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2012/s3490884.htm
