SA Police explore bikie laws to control Sudanese youth gangs

Senior police are investigating if anti-bikie laws can be used to halt increasingly violent interactions between feuding Sudanese youth gangs in Adelaide.

Police are investigating if legislation used to smash SA’s bikie gangs can be used to thwart the violent activities of feuding Sudanese youth gangs in Adelaide’s northern and western suburbs.

Senior police have revealed they are examining if elements of the Serious and Organised Crime Control Act can be invoked to try and stop around 20 key members of two groups of youths from associating and committing further crimes.

However, initial investigations indicate this may be problematic because of lack of formal structure and leadership within the groups – known as 051 and KBS – whose members are predominantly aged between 16 and 18 years.

Under the provisions of the Act, a gang needs to be declared a criminal organisation before its members can be banned from associating and none of the groups of youths being investigated may meet the necessary thresholds for that move.

“It is still under assessment, but indications would be that legislation does not fit this type of scenario,’’ Assistant Commissioner Scott Duval said.

Assistant Commissioner Scott Duval. Picture: Mike Burton

The move comes as senior police boost manpower in Operation Meld which was formed to combat the escalating anti-social behaviour – which includes four serious stabbings and two major brawls over the past seven months.

Senior police have been working closely with Sudanese community leaders and the parents of the youths to stem the violence, but their concerns have heightened after receiving intelligence gang members are attempting to source firearms to use against rivals. One youth has been caught possessing shotgun shells.

Since the operation’s inception, police have charged dozens of youths with offences ranging from affray, aggravated assault with intent, robbery and drug offences.

Besides violent interactions with rivals, gang members have also targeted members of the public selling goods online and robbing them.

In the past week, there have been three such incidents involving online sales of an iPhone and two laptops. In two of the incidents, gang members fled without paying for the goods.

A member of 051 group in Adelaide.

The largest youth gang calls itself 051.

Of dozens of members so far charged by police, more than 20 of them have reoffended after being released on bail by the Youth Court – frustrating police efforts to quell their criminal activities.

“I think if you look at the seriousness of the offending for the public safety aspect, there are reasons why we refuse bail,’’ Mr Duval said.

“Often it is for the protection of the victim, the protection of the community generally.’’

Of those so far charged during Operation Meld, none have yet been sentenced to a custodial sentence, but four youths have been remanded in custody on serious charges.

While police often obtain strict bail conditions on the youths, including curfews and bans on associating with named individuals, they are often ignored by the individuals.