Bikie ban spreads its wings across all licensed venues on the northern beaches

For several years, bikies in colours have been barred from Manly pubs and clubs following an agreement by the Manly Liquor Accord.

Now the Northern Beaches Liquor Accord has made a similar decision covering all licensed venues in Warringah and Pittwater.

Northern Beaches local area commander Superintendent Dave Darcy described the accord’s decision as “great news”.

 

 

“We don’t need the overt presence of bikies in colours on the northern beaches,” he said.

“It’s good to see a unified stand taken by all licensees in the area.

“It means the whole of the northern beaches’ licensees are in agreement.

“It was a group decision and it’s strongly supported by the police.”

Northern Beaches Liquor Accord president Rob O’Connell said stickers would be placed at the entrances to all licensed venues making it clear to bikies that they were not welcome.

“It’s a no-brainer and it will be written on the door,” he said.

“The stickers will make clear that this is part of our door policy.

“We haven’t been pushed or shoved into this by the police.

“We said we’d do it so that no one got a foothold in any venue.”

Supt Darcy said a number of groups from outside the area had approached local venues in recent times trying to gain entry.

The only local bikie gang, the Brookvale chapter of the Finks, patched over to the Mongols in November and police were able to prevent any violence between the two gangs. Both have chapters in other parts of Sydney. Police also raided the chapter’s Brookvale clubhouse in November and allegedly found a handgun, bullets and cannabis.

More than 45 officers from Strike Force Raptor, Operation Talon and the Rescue Squad joined local police in the raid of the bikies’ clubhouse in Sydenham Rd as part of efforts to investigate gang members and disrupt criminal activity.

As part of a catch-all approach, police were investigating the possible supply of alcohol on the premises in contravention of the Restricted Premises Act.

Supt Darcy said the ­alleged presence of a gun in a clubhouse showed ­motorcycle gangs had to be ­considered as a real menace, not just a bunch of blokes only interested in bikes and beer.