Forty gang members stopped in Timaru
Numerous police officers intercepted up to 40 patched motorcycle gang members as they made their way through Timaru on Wednesday afternoon, following reports of excessive speeds.
Police set up a random checkpoint on King St, in the southern Timaru suburb of Redruth, as patched members of the Tauranga-based 'Greazy' Dogs gang headed south on their way to a motorbike rally.
Senior Sergeant Dylan Murray, of Timaru, said the traffic stop went smoothly for police.
"They were stopped by us. There had been reports of speeding amongst that group.
"We carried out a random checkpoint as well. We were not just checking them, we were stopping other bikes as well," Murray said.
About a dozen police officers were at the scene, with Murray estimating there were roughly 40 Greazy Dogs members there too.
He also confirmed an infringement notice was handed out.
"Just failing to supply a driver's licence, and the same licence was suspended for excess demerit points," Murray said.
The gang members caused police no problems, with Murray adding they seemed to be "in very good spirits".
He was not aware of the riders being pulled over as a group further up the South Island as they headed to the Burt Munro Challenge in Southland.
"It is possible individuals were stopped along the journey from Mt Manganui," Murray said.
Registrations for the Burt Munro had closed with just under 600 riders entered across all six events for the November 26-29 event.
It is the event's 10th anniversary in 2015.