Police would have powers to search tattoo parlours at any time under a new bill from the NSW government.
CANTERBURY and Bankstown residents are ``sick and tired’’ of bikies hiding behind tattoo parlours, says East Hills state Liberal MP Glenn Brookes.
The state government’s move to ban bikies from running tattoo shops and introduce stricter regulation for tattoo artists appeared in the NSW Parliament’s Legislative Assembly for a second reading on Tuesday.
Mr Brookes supported the motion, telling Parliament it was time to get tough on outlaw motorcycle gangs.
``This is an important bill that will help break the connection between organised crime and the body art tattoo industry (and ensure) only fit and proper people operate and work in these businesses,’’ he said.
The Tattoo Parlours Bill 2012 seeks to ban bikies from running tattoo shops by amending the Crimes Act.
All body art tattooists will be registered and regulated by NSW Fair Trading with the NSW Commissioner of Police having the final say.
Police would also be able to search tattoo shops, armed with drug and firearm detection dogs at any time in an effort to stop Sydney’s spreading gang war.
More than 50 shootings rocked Sydney in 2012 with police blaming a turf war between rival bikie gangs the Hells Angels and the Nomads.
Mr Brookes said the new legislation would also tighten up regulations, ensuring customers got what they paid for.
The anti-bikie Bill has now been presented to the Upper House.
