Bikie laws not being enforced

LEGISLATION to outlaw bikie gangs and prevent members from associating with each other are still not being enforced despite being rushed through State Parliament.

The laws, passed in April, were aimed at dismantling warring bikie gangs and cracking down on criminal activities after Hells Angel Anthony Zervas was killed in a brawl at Sydney Airport.

But four months on, no bikie gang had been declared unlawful and no control orders were in place to stop members from associating with each other.

Opposition Police spokesman Mike Gallagher said: ``Bikies should have nowhere to hide, no place to convene with each other to plan illegal activities and no rest from police.

“There is no point in enacting special laws to protect the community from the violence and lawlessness of outlaw bikie gangs unless those laws are used.’‘

He made the comments after Police Minister Tony Kelly announced Strikeforce Raptor would be extended for a further six months and have an extra 13 specialised officers including detectives from the Criminal Organisation Unit.

Defending NSW Police, Mr Kelly said officers were currently working hard on the matter assembling “water tight evidence’’ to support a declaration application.

“What police must put together is probably equivalent in work load to preparing for a major conspiracy trial with multiple defendants,’’ he said.

“That said, the Government is keen to see the first declaration made - but this is ultimately an operational matter in the hands of police and their lawyers.’‘

Mr Kelly said there had been 317 arrests and 619 charges laid against bikies from across Sydney putting a “serious dent’’ into their criminal activities since Strikeforce Raptor was set up four months ago.

“We will throw every resource possible into attacking the violent and criminal behaviour being undertaken by these gangs,’’ he said.

Guns, rifles, tasers, ammunition, cocaine, cannabis, amphetamines, three Harley Davidsons, two boats, two four-wheel drives and $780,000 in cash had also been seized.