Rebels arrested for wearing gang colours

In a crackdown on wearing gang colours in licensed venues in South Australia, police have arrested 12 members of the Rebels bikie gang.

Police conducted raids when the members of the outlaw motorcycle gang dressed in club vests or colours were among 30 Rebels gathered at a Murray Mallee hotel east of Adelaide six weeks ago.

The bikies were on their way to Tasmania for a get together of Rebels members from across Australia.

They were approached by a local police officer. The group was moved on.

The arrests and seizure of 10 sets of colours and a Rebels T-shirt came when the Serious and Organised Crime Branch police conducted raids across metropolitan Adelaide on Wednesday last week.

Under amendments to South Australia's Liquor Licensing Act in 2015, it’s an offence to wear anything associated with declared criminal organisations in licensed venues.

The amendments were introduced two years ago targeting well-known motorcycle gangs the Mongols, Rebels and Hells Angels as well as other lesser-known racially-motivated hate gangs.

Anyone caught in breach of the law can be fined a maximum penalty of $25,000 for a first offence, $50,000 or six months' imprisonment for a second offence, or 18 months' imprisonment for third or subsequent offence.

The 12 men were charged with entering and remaining in a licensed premises while wearing a prohibited item.

They were all bailed to appear in the Murray Bridge Magistrates Court at a later date.

Detective Chief Inspector Scott Fitzgerald said the amendments had reduced gang violence in licensed premises in South Australia since they were introduced.

"Since the introduction of tough new laws in 2015, it has made it illegal for them to wear their gang paraphernalia in our pubs, clubs and restaurants and made people in South Australia feel safe," Detective Chief Inspector Fitzgerald told the ABC.

"They know the laws and we made a point of reminding them before they left to travel to Tasmania."

8th December 2017