Victoria introduces new laws to allow police to strip fortifications from bikie clubhouses

Updated

Victoria has introduced new laws to allow police to strip fortifications and security cameras from bikie clubhouses.

From today, Victoria Police will be able to obtain court orders to forcibly remove physical barriers and closed circuit television systems.

Attorney General Robert Clark says the laws are needed if police are to crackdown on outlaw motorcycle gangs.

"Fortifications are used to delay and to prevent entry, to threaten and booby trap the police and other law enforcement authorities," he said.

"If these fortifications can be removed, it will strip a layer of protection that these gangs have, make it more easy for police to enforce and uphold the law."

Victorian Premier Denis Napthine says the new fortification laws will allow police more scope to do their jobs.

"What we say through these laws is that you can't have fortified premises. That is totally unacceptable," he said.

"There are laws in place to allow police to pull down those fortifications, so that police can do their job properly."

"It sends a really clear message to outlaw motorcycle gangs, there is no place for that sort of illegal activity here in Melbourne and Victoria."

Anti-bikie crackdown, raids and arrests

Victoria police say it is committed to disrupting gang activity and finding illegal guns and is currently holding several bikies in custody.

Three Hells Angels members faced court last week over a series of shootings in Melbourne's south-east.

Police raided several properties linked to the Hells Angels and Comancheros bikie groups on Tuesday.

They seized several guns, drugs, cash and explosives.

Five Comacheros were also arrested, with four of them were charges over an alleged violent extortion syndicate.

Police said the arrests send a message that violence and shootings will not be tolerated.

"We're going to keep the pressure up community safety is our number one priority," said Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Stephen Fontana.

"We've had a number of acting investigations going for months in relation to some of these individuals.

"But they've been the target of some of these attacks so we're laying charges and hoping to take some of the main players of the streets."

Only one of the men, Hells Angel member Mohammed Khodr, was released on bail.

Topics: crime-prevention, police, laws, melbourne-3000, vic

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