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South Australian police now have the
power to tear down the fortified headquarters of bikie gangs.
Under new laws from Monday police can seek a court order to
remove the fortresses provided they believe they are being used
to shield criminal activity.
The changes will also allow police to stop the strongholds being
constructed in the first place and are all part of the Labor
government's crackdown on bikie gangs.
Premier Mike Rann said bikie headquarters had been home to
clandestine drug laboratories and other illegal activity for too
long.
"These gangs have exploited loopholes in the state's
planning laws for long enough and today marks a major step in the
move to make our suburbs safer," Mr Rann said.
"Our new laws are about ensuring police can quickly access
sites suspected of hiding criminal activity.
"And if the bikies don't remove the fortresses, then the
police commissioner will arrange it for them and recover the cost
from whoever put the barricades there."
İAAP 2004
