More bikies expected in Darwin, less than a week after Bandidos shindig

DROVES of Hells Angels bikies are descending on Darwin, less than a week after the Bandidos flew into town

Droves of Hells Angels bikies are descending on Darwin, less than a week after the Bandidos flew into town for cracker night

THE Territory’s “piss weak” bikie laws are making it a haven for interstate gang members, the outgoing head of the NT’s organised crime division says.

Droves of Hells Angels bikies are descending on Darwin, less than a week after the Bandidos flew into town for cracker night.

BANDIDOS members descend on the NT

Drug and Organised Crime Division officer in charge, detective Senior Sergeant Mark Stringer, who officially retired from the force on Friday, said bikies were attracted to trips to the NT because of the weather and our relaxed laws around wearing their colours and riding in groups.

“They do tend to like coming up here because our legislation is a bit lax I suppose, as compared to other jurisdictions,” he said.

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“Our legislation is a bit piss weak.”

About 20 to 30 interstate Hells Angels are in Darwin.

Snr Sgt Stringer said the bikies made the trip to the Top End each year.

He said he understood the annual pilgrimage was in memory of someone who had died.

The bikies are expected to convene at the Hells Angels club house in Girraween.

It comes after about 30 Bandidos — including the president of the WA chapter — touched down in Darwin for their own club events and to set off fireworks legally on Territory Day.

While some of the Bandidos remain in town, Sen Sgt Stringer did not expect any dust-ups between the rival outlaw bikie gangs, but said bikies were known to be touchy.

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“There’s no indication that there will be any trouble or dramas,” Sen Sgt Stringer said.

“A slight insult or perceived insult at a pub is enough to spark a fight.”

Police received information the Hells Angels were riding north to the Territory through South Australian colleagues.

Gang members have been tracked visiting Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Katherine over the past week.

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Sen Sgt Stringer expects those who rode would stay for some time.

“They could be here for a week or so, they normally go fishing and that sort of thing,” he said.