QUEENSLAND police want to strip bikies of colours, insignia

Qld bikies to be stripped of colours, insignia by police

QUEENSLAND bikies have called a truce to discuss action over the State Government's plan to strip them of their prized club colours and insignias.

The Government is looking at a bold move adopted by US authorities, who have sought a court injunction under forfeiture laws to seize the trademark on the name of the Mongols bikie gang.

If successful, US police would have the power to demand Mongol members remove their club patch or "colours", which bear the gang insignia – the most prized possession in the bikie culture.

Several Australian-based bikie gangs, including the Hells Angels, have a trademark over their name.

Police Minister Judy Spence said she would ask the state's police bikie Task Force Hydra to consider the move.

It comes as the State Government is looking at introducing tough laws against outlaw motorcycle gangs that have been implemented in South Australia and Western Australia, where it is illegal for gang members to associate.

The Australian Crime Commission has deemed bikie gangs to be a significant criminal threat nationwide.

The Sunday Mail also can reveal that 10 of the 14 resident bikie gangs in Queensland called a truce to meet at a secret location on Brisbane's southside to discuss the proposed anti-bikie laws.

Gangs sent two to three representatives to a suburban Brisbane coffee shop two weeks ago to the meeting organised by the Hells Angels.

Members attended unarmed, not wearing club colours, and were not allowed to bring mobile phones.

They told The Sunday Mail that if the Government moved to ban the wearing of colours or introduced laws similar to SA or WA, the gangs would take legal action.

"If there are no colours, how dangerous do you think that will be for police and the public, not being to able identify us?" he said.

"No colours will break down barriers between us and we will work together. That means there will be more drug deals and more murders," another bikie warned.

SA Premier Mike Rann has called for other states and territories to adopt the groundbreaking laws to prevent outlaw gang members fleeing to other states.

Under the legislation, the SA Attorney-General can declare a criminal bikie gang an outlaw organisation and confiscate their assets, including their motorcycles.

This week the Parliamentary Joint Committee on the Australian Crime Commission will hold hearings in Brisbane for their inquiry into legislative arrangements to outlaw serious and organised crime groups.

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