AUSTRALIA - Bikies' clubhouses to be targeted in Vic

OFF THE WIRE
A handful of bikie clubhouses in Melbourne could have their fort-like walls torn down under new laws aimed at organised crime groups.
Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Graham Ashton says the new powers will stop criminals from destroying evidence while authorised police searches are delayed by heavily-fortified building entrances.
Under legislation introduced into state parliament on Wednesday, Victorian police will be able get a court order to have the fortifications, such as walls and other defences, removed from bikie gang property.
'That gives us the opportunity to get into these premises faster and avoid any destruction of evidence,' Mr Ashton said.
But officers will have to convince a magistrate that the buildings are being used for criminal activity before such permission is granted.
The outlaw motorcycle gang will then have three months to comply with the court order.
Mr Ashton hopes police will be able to use the laws within weeks if they are passed by parliament.
If this happens, bikie gangs like the Bandidos and the Hells Angels are at the 'top of the list', he says.
Laws cracking down on criminal bikie groups in South Australia and NSW were struck down by the High Court after successful challenges by bikie gangs.
But Attorney-General Robert Clark is confident Victoria's legislation will withstand any High Court challenge.
Police say the laws will apply to any organised group, not just bikies.
'In the future, we won't be just restricting it to bikie gangs but we do need to show criminal links,' Mr Ashton said.
There will be penalties of up to two years' jail for obstructing the removal of fortifications that have been ordered by the courts to be removed.
Premier Denis Napthine says criminal bikie gangs will have nowhere to hide under the new laws.
'This is a very real crackdown on criminal organisations and criminal bikie gangs in this state,' he said.

http://bigpondnews.com/articles/National/2013/04/17/Bikies_clubhouses_to_be_targeted_in_Vic_864411.html