Bikies 'unholy trinity' blocks Hells Angels

THE Bandidos, Finks and Lone Wolves have formed an `unholy alliance' to combat the Hells Angels' audacious bid for territory on the Gold Coast.

The outlaw gangs have the strength and influence to fend off any challenge from the Angels and smaller clubs in the city will follow their lead to protect their turf.

The Bulletin can reveal the Hells Angels are `desperate' to expand from their Tradelink Drive home and have tried in vain to forge alliances on the Coast.

"They are kidding themselves," police said.

"The Gold Coast-based gangs will never let that happen.

"The clubs will align themselves to keep the Hells Angels out.

"They are not wanted on the Coast."

Gold Coast police continue to insist there is `no indication of a bikie war' and Taskforce Hydra yesterday tried to reassure the community as gang violence erupts across the southeast.

Bikies have fired shots into buildings, torched cars and attacked people with baseball bats as tensions rise between outlaw clubs.

The Coast has been relatively stable in recent years after peace talks at a neutral Carrara bar to carve up territory, with the Finks taking Surfers Paradise and the Bandidos owning Broadbeach.

Gang sources said the bikies would do `what they have to' to resist any move by the glamour club to establish a toe-hold in the city.

The wave of violence began on Tuesday morning when a car parked in a Bandido-controlled caryard, Marooka Wholesale, was torched by the Hells Angels.

Two hours later, a volley of shots was fired into Bandido-controlled East Coast Ink at Mermaid Beach.

When the attack went unchallenged, the Hells Angels taunted the Bandidos by drinking at the Mermaid Tavern -- in the heart of Bandido territory -- before they were evicted by police.

Less than 24 hours later, the Bandidos hit back.

Five men with baseball bats attacked Brisbane tattoo parlour Platinum Ink, owned by a Sydney-born Hells Angel member.

The offenders smashed the shopfront and assaulted two employees.

Thirty minutes later, the same group of men stormed East Brisbane locksmith Millennium Locks, where the two workers injured refused to make official complaints to police.

The locksmith shares an address with businesses owned by two of the state's senior Hells Angels.

State Crime Operations Chief Superintendent Gayle Hogan said the attacks were not random.

"We are concerned that there appears to be an increase in these sorts of incidents," police said.

"And we are concerned that they could continue to increase."

Police have attempted to broker a peace deal between the two clubs with `limited co-operation'.

Insiders said the Hells Angels were `foolish' to take on the Bandidos -- the strongest club on the Gold Coast.

It holds extensive commercial interests and has cemented its place in the Glitter Strip.

"The Hells don't have the numbers to take on the Bandidos," police said.

"They've started something they won't be able to finish."

Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson said bikie gangs were `one of the greatest challenges' facing law enforcement and the danger of bikie gangs was `underrated'.

"The reality is they are highly sophisticated, well-organised criminal enterprises that pose a genuine risk to the community," Mr Atkinson said.

He said he would `not be surprised' by a Hells Angels push for Gold Coast territory.

"They are businesses. They look for opportunity, so that wouldn't be a surprise.

"We don't know what their plans are but they are a sophisticated criminal enterprise.

"They market themselves as a group of mature men who have a love and interest in motorbikes and they do that very cleverly.

Assistant Commissioner Graham Rynders said the gangs were constantly looking to expand.

"One of the things about OMCGs is they look for opportunity for criminal enterprise," Mr Rynders said.