ACT Police silent on alleged Rebels threats
ACT Police will not reveal what, if any, action they are taking to
counter alleged threats of violence by the Rebels Motorcycle Club
against a visiting social motorcycle group for veteran riders.
Ulysses Club members, 5000 of whom are in Canberra this week for an
annual rally, say the Rebels used threats of violence and property
damage to make them remove cloth patches known as "rockers" from
their jackets. The Rebels believe rockers should only be worn by
members of an outlaw club who have "earned" them.
Canberra Rebels president Martin "Stef" Stefancic told The Canberra
Times earlier this week that his members would do "whatever it
takes" to make sure the offending rockers were removed. Yesterday
morning he repeated those comments on ABC radio.
But later yesterday Mr Stefancic denied using the threat of force.
When asked why he felt the Rebels had the right to impose dress
standards on another club, Mr Stefancic said simply, "Our rules are
our rules".
Mr Stefancic met yesterday with Ulysses president Rick Bedford, a
meeting Mr Bedford described as "respectful". Mr Bedford, who has
issued a directive to all members to remove rockers from their
clothing, said he would examine his club members' clothing before
today's Grand Motorcycle Parade through Canberra. The parade is
expected to feature up to 4500 motorbikes.
Mr Bedford stressed that while he couldn't guarantee all members
would remove their rockers, anyone wearing them would be expelled
from the ride.
Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for Police Minister John Hargreaves, who
yesterday was in Victoria at a ministers' conference, said "we have
every faith in the police's handling of this matter."
However, ACT police were unable to confirm whether a formal
complaint had been lodged against the Rebels, whose alleged actions
may constitute criminal conduct.
The absence of a formal complaint or a person willing to make a
formal statement is being pointed to as an explanation for the lack
of visible action.
Fear of retaliation is one possible reason why there may be no
formal complaint, with several people who have been threatened
making it clear that they do not want to be identified.
Opposition police spokesman Steve Pratt said that ACT Police were
reluctant to address the behaviour of the Rebels because they lacked
political support.
"The police ought to be doing more [to stop the Rebels], but I think
[they] are concerned about taking on the gangs ... because the
police are not being supported or resourced by this Government," he
said.
"If they haven't got the strength or the will to address the
relatively minor issues, how then will they tackle the really big
problems of these bikie gangs' illegal behaviour?"
Mr Pratt said the Rebels had been a problem in Canberra for years.
He had been told of Rebels threatening and intimidating motorists
before the group's current argument with the Ulysses Club, including
women confronted by "outriders" riding in front, behind and beside
their cars.
