Residents in fear over gang violence
By Tom Richardson
July 25, 2005
From:
RESIDENTS in Adelaide's north are urging the Rann Government to crack down on bikie gang activity amid fears of escalating violence.

A group of residents has written an anonymous letter to Premier Mike Rann, begging him to shut down the Rebels club fortress in the northwestern suburb of Royal Park.
"A bikie war is brewing between the Rebels and the Hell's Angels gangs", the residents warn. pointing out that the Rebels are installing extra security cameras in their clubrooms "as they are expecting more trouble".

The plea follows a series of bikie-related incidents in recent months.


In May, a group of Rebels allegedly shot up a black-tie dance music awards ceremony in front of 600 guests.

Last month, the disappearance of former Gypsy Jokers leader Steve Williams was declared a major crime by police.

Mr Williams's 13-year-old daughter Blayze packed up her father's Adelaide apartment on the weekend as the family began to accept the prospect he will not be found.

The letter to Mr Rann said residents in the northern suburbs were in "fear for our lives ... we fear retribution from these so-called human beings".

"In the past 40 years that I have lived in this area, I have never seen so many houses up for sale, and have never been so scared in all my life," one resident wrote.

State Liberal MP Robert Brokenshire said the letter indicated the Government was "losing the war on bikie clubs".

Mr Rann said on ABC radio the matter was in the hands of the police commissioner.