Bikie demographic changing: police
AN IMAGE commonly associated with a bikie is a leather-clad, bearded man with fading tattoos and an intense love for Harley Davidson motorcycle.
But that demographic has changed dramatically, police say.
Now Queensland outlaw motorcycle gangs are being infiltrated by well-groomed men with crime on their mind and not a motorcycle in sight.
Following the recent spate of bikie-prompted violence across south east Queensland, police have painted a threatening picture of those involved.
"There is attempts (by bikie gangs) to legitimize themselves in the eyes of the public," Assistant Commissioner Graham Rynders said.
"The traditional long beard, long hair is going and we are seeing a younger group that are well groomed, well presented that try to portray themselves as professional people that infiltrate those gangs."
State Crime Operations Command Assistant Commissioner Mike Condon said records show more than 1000 outlaw motorcycle gang members or associates had been charged with more than 2800 offences, including drug, attempted murder, extortion and firearm offences.
"There are individuals out there who believe this way of life is the right thing for them and clearly they are out of sync with the rest of the community," he said.
Out of the 14 outlaw motorcycle gangs operating in Queensland, police believe three or four are a "high-risk" to the community.
"(The high risk groups) are all engaged in some level of criminal activity sanctioned by the club," Assistant Commissioner Condon said.
