Police to watch outlaw motorcycle gangs closely as they arrive in Tasmania for their national runs

UPDATE: Hundreds of bikies have rolled off the Spirit of Tasmania ferry this morning, attracting the attention of police.

Police interact with bikies as they arrive at the Rebels Motorcycle Club at East Devonport.

UPDATE: Hundreds of bikies have rolled off the Spirit of Tasmania ferry this morning, attracting the attention of police.

Members of the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang arrived to start their national run in Tasmania and gathered at East Devonport a short distance from the ferry.

A strong police presence was on show directing traffic and inspecting some of the motorbikes.

Police from every Australian state and territory have been sworn in to serve alongside their Tasmanian counterparts over the next several days, as the bikies begin their tour of the state.

The show of force comes as outspoken Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie said a clear message must be sent to motorcycle gangs that they’re not wanted.

“We need to send a stronger message to organised crime gangs and tell them to ‘get out’. We can do that if we take a national approach.”

There will be up to 400 Rebels from across the country in Tasmania for the four-day ride.

Police have warned gang members to be on their best behaviour, saying they will be closely monitoring the hordes of riders due to their associations with criminal activity and anti-social behaviour.

Senator Jacqui Lambie says we need to get tougher on bikie gangs. Picture KYM SMITH

An Australian Federal Police spokeswoman said as part of Operation Morpheus members from the AFP, Victoria Police, NSW Police, QLD Police, NT Police, WA Police and SA Police were being sworn in to assist Tasmania Police “in addressing criminal activity and any intimidating or threatening behaviour over the course of the week”.

“It is imperative that Australian law enforcement agencies continue to work together and share intelligence to disrupt and dismantle organised crime,” the spokeswoman said.

Bikies began arriving in Devonport on Thursday via the Spirit of Tasmania and planes with plans to travel to Hobart via the East Coast.

From November 19-26, about 300 Bandidos members will also arrive in Devonport before heading to Port Arthur for two nights.

There are five established outlaw motorcycle gangs in the state, made up of 14 chapters and approximately 280 members.

The Rebels motorcycle gang headquarters in North Hobart. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

The Rebels have about 80 members in Tasmania with clubhouses in North Hobart, Sorell, Kingston, Devonport and Mornington.

The Bandidos have established a “prospect chapter” in Devonport with about six known members.

As part of the National Anti-Gangs Squad, an AFP liaison officer works within the Tasmania Police Serious Organised Crime Unit, which has a large focus on OMCGs.

Tasmania Police Inspector Glen Ball said every police jurisdiction in the country had its own OMCG plan.

“Generally across the state, all officers are encouraged to focus attention whenever OMCGs are observed on the road,” he said.

“We’re always providing intelligence in relation to movements and chapters so we’re always maintaining an up-to-date database in relation to bikies and their movements.”

Inspector Ball said there would be a large police presence around the North Hobart area on Friday night because of a reported private function at the Rebels clubhouse in Burnett St.

“The expectation is that all the members that are on this national run will attend this function, so we’re expecting between 300-400 [bikies],” he said.

Senator Lambie has called for a crackdown on organised crime through a national approach via the Council of Australian Governments.

Senator Lambie said the Bandidos had moved to East Devonport because another state had cracked down on organised crime.

“The gangs are a bit smarter than what you take them for, and they will just move to the next state, which is exactly what is happening,” she said.

She said Tasmania’s anti-fortification laws did not scare the Bandidos who had moved in to cause trouble.

“I’ve seen first-hand the effect of organised criminal gangs on families,” she said.

“I was lucky. My son was in a position where he had no choice but to go into rehab, and he is now doing well.”

Senator Lambie said organised crime must be addressed at COAG.

“The states must walk away with a comprehensive plan, otherwise gangs will continue to prey on our children, seducing them with the idea of belonging, with drugs or with the opportunity to make big bucks,” she said.

Members of the public are encouraged to report suspicious activity in relation to OMCG members to 131 444.

EARLIER: From tomorrow, up to 400 members of the Rebels OMCG will be in Tasmania for a four-day ride, just days after Rebels boss Aaron “AJ” Graham was kicked out of Australia.

MORE: AJ DEPORTED FROM THE COUNTRY

The bikers will arrive on the Bass Strait ferry into Devonport and travel to Hobart via the East Coast.

About 350 Rebels bikie members will arrive in Tasmania from Friday.

Then from November 19-26, 300 Bandidos members will arrive in Devonport before heading to Port Arthur for two nights.

While the State usually embraces visitors to the State, Tasmania Police says the clubs are organised crime gangs and are not welcome here.

“We have been liaising with the clubs to ensure their members understand that they will be closely monitored and that criminal and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in our state,” Assistant Police Commissioner Glenn Frame said.

“The members are on notice in our jurisdiction. We will not tolerate criminal activity, anti-social or intimidating behaviour or breaches of our traffic laws.”

The Rebels have about 80 members in Tasmania with clubhouses in North Hobart, Sorell, Kingston, Devonport and Mornington.

Chapters in New Norfolk and Smithton have closed.

The Bandidos have established a “prospect chapter” in Devonport with about six known members.

Two men that police claim are the heads of that chapter fronted court in Devonport last year charged with drug, assault and stolen property offences.

Police said members and associates of both clubs had been charged with significant offences, including drug trafficking and firearm crimes, in recent years.

“Tasmania Police is examining options to further disrupt their activities by creating a hostile environment. That may include making recommendations for legislation to prevent criminal gang members from associating thus limiting the ability of serious criminals to plan and commit crime together,” Mr Frame said.

Tasmania Police has assured local communities that a strong police presence will monitor the bikers’ activities.

Licence checks and targeted drug and alcohol testing will be conducted along with operations to minimise the disruption to motorists and pedestrians as large numbers of motorcycles travel together through towns and cities.

Extra police officers have been rostered and other enforcement agencies, such as specialist outlaw gang officers, will provide back up.

“The Rebels and Bandidos are organised crime gangs and will be under very close police scrutiny while in Tasmania,” Mr Frame said.