SA Police arrest more than 120 bikies for breaking strict anti-association laws

For the first time, the Sunday Mail can reveal which outlaw motorcycle gangs have allegedly fallen foul of our state’s strict anti-bikie laws the most.

More than 120 bikies have been arrested for breaking South Australia’s strict anti-association laws, with Hells Angels, Rebels and Finks members among the top offenders.

The Sunday Mail can reveal 124 bikies or associates were arrested for allegedly breaching the laws over the past 10 years, according to freedom of information documents.

Hells Angels bikies accounted for 37 arrests, including more than a dozen last year after members, including longstanding bikie Terry Ian Polly, rode through the city together.

Hells Angels bikie Terry Polley. Picture: Facebook

Finks Motorcycle Club accounted for 24 arrests. .

Rebels bikies accounted for 33 arrests, including the arrest of four bikies and associates at Salisbury Downs last year, followed by the Finks with 24 arrests.

Under the laws, it’s illegal for three or more members of a criminal organisation to meet in public, in a prescribed premise and wear club paraphernalia, or face up to three years jail.

Only one bikie was arrested for entering a prescribed premise, Gypsy Joker Matt David James Smith-Howell, who attended the former Mount Gambier Gypsy Joker clubhouse in 2021.

Matt David James Smith-Howell pleaded guilty to entering a prescribed place. Picture: Facebook.

In SA, there are 10 declared criminal organisations – the Bandidos, Comancheros, Descendants, Finks, Gypsy Jokers, Hells Angels, Mongols, Nomads, Rebels and Red Devils.

Attorney-General Kyam Maher said SA had the “nation’s toughest laws against bikies” and the government wouldn’t hesitate to take “firm and quick” action.

“Just last year the government declared a club house of the Descendants as a prescribed place, allowing SAPOL to disrupt the activities of the gang,” Mr Maher said.

“We will never hesitate to take action needed to ensure the South Australian community is protected against the misery peddled by bikies.”

Mr Maher added the government worked with police and intelligence agencies to ensure its laws continued to tackle threats posed by bikies.

The FOI documents, obtained by the opposition, revealed of the arrests, police laid 167 charges – with some bikies charged more than once and one charged with multiple offences.

The charges resulted in 81 convictions, 31 charges were withdrawn or did not proceed, and 43 arrests were still before the courts.

Oppositions spokesman Jack Batty said arrests jumped from six to 41 from 2023 and 2024 was “cause for concern”.

“This increased criminal activity will need to be matched with increased resources to SA Police who are already stretched, with a current shortfall of almost 200 police officers,” Mr Batty said.

“We do not want to see South Australia become Australia’s new capital for organised crime.”

The documents also revealed police had issued 348 firearm prohibition orders to members of outlaw bikie gangs since 2003.

This included current and former members and gang associates and did not include prohibition orders issued by the courts.

Originally published as SA Police arrest more than 120 bikies for breaking strict anti-association laws