Police fight bikies in brawl

BOUNCERS were forced to intervene when a brawl broke out between a group of off-duty police and members of an outlaw bikie gang early yesterday.

Five off-duty police officers were drinking at the Tea Tree Gully Hotel when they were confronted by a group of men, understood to be Rebels members.

Hotel management said a brawl broke out in the saloon bar at 12.50am before security guards ejected those involved.

One of the off-duty officers involved in the melee managed to telephone police during the fight.

Four of the officers sustained minor injuries, including cuts and bruising, and one required stitches to a laceration above his eye.

Yesterday, Superintendent Linda Williams, officer-in-charge of the Holden Hill Local Service Area, declined to say whether the officers involved were members of Avatar, the police anti-bikie task force, or what ranks or positions they held.

Supt Williams said she had "no information to substantiate if a weapon was involved" or what had prompted the incident. "A number of police officers were at the hotel and were confronted by several people believed to have links to motorcycle gangs," she said.

"I don't have any information yet as to what may have sparked the altercation and Holden Hill CIB are investigating that."

Asked whether the off-duty police were members of Avatar, Supt Williams said: "I'm not commenting". The officers had not been stood down nor had a Commissioner's inquiry or internal review been ordered, she said.

Hotel manager Matt Woon played down the incident, describing it as a "minor scuffle".

"I was here last night when it happened," Mr Woon said.

"It was a little scuffle, it was handled - bang, done. It happened in our saloon bar and our security guards broke it up and took it outside.

"There were no injuries, no arrests, no anything. Obviously there were plenty of police around after it happened."

Mr Woon said he did not know the patrons involved in the fight.

"There have been all sorts of allegations about bikies being involved, but I don't know who they were," he said. "We have all sorts of people who come here."

He said police had not yet retrieved the bar's surveillance footage.

"I don't expect there will be much on it - it was just a minor scuffle," he said.

Paramedics were called shortly after the fight, but Mr Woon said they were there to treat an elderly woman who "had a turn" in the gaming room.

No one was arrested or reported after the incident.

Several people involved left the scene before police patrols arrived. Investigating officers have urged them to come forward.

Anyone who saw the incident is asked to call CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000. Information can be given anonymously.