OFF THE WIRE
POLICE will apply to ban a major outlaw bikie gang under the Government's new
anti-association laws within weeks.
The force has been working on an
application to put before the Supreme Court to declare a bikie club a criminal
organisation, banning members from associating or wearing club
patches.
The Hells Angels, Bandidos, Comancheros and Finks are considered
the most likely to be declared a criminal organisation, although police will not
reveal which of Victoria's clubs they are considering.
The move comes as
the force welcomed more powers to deal with gangs after the State Government
passed legislation yesterday to force gangs to tear down "intimidating"
fortifications.
Up to six fortified sites, all believed to be outlaw
bikie clubhouses, have already been identified as being used for organised
crime.
Under the legislation, police will be able to apply to a
magistrate for an order to have fortifications removed from properties if they
can be linked to organised crime.
The clubs have three months to obey a
magistrates' court order to pull them down.
Victoria Police Deputy
Commissioner Graham Ashton said the Hells Angels and Bandidos - who declared war
on each other last month - were "top of the list".
Mr Ashton said
removing fortifications may "de-escalate" the threat of violence between the
clubs and would stop bikie members destroying evidence as police executed
warrants.
"I think our clear preference is that they weren't warring in
the first place," he said.
"That's (no fortifications) going to place
more pressure on them not to engage in the sort of threats and behaviour when
they know that they can't hide behind thick, impenetrable walls."
Mr
Ashton said the laws would complement each other in the fight against organised
crime as he revealed they were closer to pursuing an established outlaw bikie
club.
"We are in the process now of preparing applications to go before
the court under those powers as well," he said.
"In the future, we won't
be just restricting it to bikie gangs but we do need to show criminal
links."
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/police-set-to-pounce-on-bikies-under-new-laws/story-e6frg6n6-1226622945993
