The Andrews government is being petitioned by authorities to tighten laws to deter bikies

Interstate bikies are streaming into Victoria and it’s feared more criminals will set up shop here unless the Andrews government takes action.

There are concerns more bikies will keep coming to Victoria unless the rules are strengthened. Picture: Ian Currie

Anti-association laws have not been used once in the past six years while bikie numbers have soared, prompting a warning more will keep coming to Victoria unless the rules are strengthened.

The Herald Sun has learned the state is being petitioned by authorities to tighten its less restrictive laws because they are not effective and bikies are streaming from in other states.

Comanchero enforcer Tarek Zahed this year moved to Melbourne to escape tough laws and the control of New South Wales police.

Former Queensland Finks Shane Bowden and Greg Keating also fled warmer climates to set up shop in Victoria.

Bikie numbers have risen from 1200 in 2013 to 2112 last year.

A 2019 review found Victoria’s laws were broken and it can now be revealed that a new report into how to fix the problem has been completed and handed to government.

One experienced investigator said the absence of effective anti-association laws had held back police.

He said the Echo task force, which works on bikies, Middle-eastern organised crime figures and street gangs, had been a major success but was impeded by not having the support of laws in place in other states.

Bikie numbers have soared in Victoria in recent years. Picture: Ian Currie

“It’s safe for them (criminals) to do their business,” the former detective said.

Part of the problem is that anti-association laws conflict with Victoria’s human rights charter, requiring the government to prepare an “incompatibility statement” if it wants to introduce tougher rules that breach these.

Firearms prohibition orders (FPO), which also involve an element of infringing on human rights, have been hailed as a game-changer in the fight against criminal networks.

They allow those who are hit with an FPO to have their homes or vehicles searched for weapons at any time. Penalties of up to 10 years in jail apply for breaches.

A former detective says its ‘safe for them (criminals) to do their business’ in Victoria.

Queensland University of Technology Associate Professor Mark Lauchs, who specialises in motorcycle gangs, said Victoria’s laws appeared to be unworkable for authorities.

He said Western Australia was cracking down on gangs in the state and soon they would turn to Victoria where conditions were friendlier.

“It is the place to go (Victoria),” he said.

“When laws were changed, all the hardcore bikies left Queensland and went to Melbourne.

“The bottom line is in WA, Queensland and NSW you can’t ride around with your patch on.

“New Zealand are complaining bitterly and now they are talking about their own laws, the problem is where they go.

“If you’re the last place left you can’t displace them.”

A state government spokeswoman said FPOs were among a suite of tough laws in place to disrupt organised crime.

“We commissioned the stage two review of Victoria’s Criminal Organisation Laws to ensure the laws on organised crime in Victoria are as strong as possible,” she said.

“We’ll continue to work through the recommendations with Victoria Police to give them the tools and resources they need to continue to tackle this kind of criminal behaviour.”