• Germany edition
Photo: DPA

Crime experts suggest ban on biker gangs

Published: 2 Nov 09 08:09 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/national/20091102-22963.html

A organization representing German police officers has called for a ban on biker gangs, following a weekend of violence between the Hells Angels and Bandidos, daily Rheinische Post reported.

“The incidences in Duisburg, Solingen and Essen specifically involve conflicts between organised crime groups that have the highest potential for violence,” acting leader of the BDK criminal investigative alliance, Wilfried Albishausen, told the daily Rheinische Posten.

“In such cases the state needs to show its colours, particularly if one affects one or another follower with the ban.”

Albishausen advocated a change to laws in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, where much of the violence between the two gangs has taken place. A state parliamentary committee is set to address the issue this month.

“It must be possible for the police to conduct surveillance of telephone and data exchange when the worst crimes threaten to occur with a court ruling and not only when a crime has already occurred,” he told the paper.

Inside law enforcement sources told the paper that police plan to create a statewide special criminal commission based in Münster to handle increasing criminal activity between the two gangs.

Over the weekend up to 100 police officers were called to a pub in Duisburg to break up a fight between the rival biker gangs, meanwhile a grenade attack followed several hours later.

Around 50 Hells Angels armed with sticks stormed a red-light district bar called The Fat Mexican, which is frequented by rival biker gang the Bandidos, police reported.

The bar was smashed to pieces during the ensuing brawl and several people were injured before police managed to herd everyone outside and separate the two gangs.

News agency AP reported that several hours later someone lobbed a hand grenade through the window of the Hells Angels’ clubhouse in Solingen, where about 20 people were inside.

The grenade did not go off, and police later detonated the device in a controlled explosion.

Later shots were fired at a Hells Angels clubhouse in Solingen, but no one was injured, police said.

Fears of an outbreak of violence between the two biker gangs were sparked in October when a 32-year-old man was shot dead outside the Fat Mexican – which is on the ground floor of the Bandidos’ club building. The dead man was a Bandido, while the suspected killer is a man with connections to the Hells Angels.

DDP/The Local (news@thelocal.de)

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Fark It! Digg This  Share everywhere
Send to a friend Printable version Twitter This

Your comments about this article:

09:44 November 2, 2009 by Johnne
What??!! crime experts suggest ban on biker gangs?? what a great move! this country keeps getting it wrong on crime because they never deal with issues that are most important! they should first ban the NPD,Neo Nazis supporters and the Republikaner partei and toughen laws against skinheads,they attack foreigners & cititzens and now football teams are not speared anymore:-)they´re embarrasing Germany! do something!
15:37 November 2, 2009 by Psypher
"Germany is totally unprepared to fight mafia"

Politically-speaking, you are correct. However, from a tactical and law-enforcement perspective you couldn't be more wrong. The tools, tactics, and mechanisms exist. The problem is that the only way to bring down OC syndicates is thru the use of some very Stasi-like methods which is unpalatable to the political establishment....
20:08 November 2, 2009 by goody
I think they should take all these gang bangers and bikers and all the garbage in life and but them in afganistan to fight the taliban and just maybe they might apperciate LIFE
03:59 November 4, 2009 by slobo
I think this a brilliant idea! They would probably do quite well fighting Taliban. They wouldn't take prisoners!
05:50 November 4, 2009 by kiwikraut
@ goody & slobo

Hyper-Intelligent comments !

Ban on biker gangs? What is that going to change? We have a few gangs in New Zealand as well, also the worst aren't really biker gangs but ethnically orientated patch-wearing brawlers who are involved in all levels of crime, but we have quite a few biker gangs here who could be counted as belonging to the 1%M.C. category, meaning they are the 1% part of all Motorcyle Clubs that is involved in crime.

A ban on gangs wearing ensignia and patches is yet to be legislated in full here, as it will have to happen in other countries.

But why should the other 99% of bikers be hassled by the law-enforcement(and that's going to happen for sure) even if these 99% are in general law-obiding citizens who just look a bit apart from the rest of the sheep, namely by wearing leathers!?

All nonsense I would say, gangs will organize themselves with or without patches, flags and openly confessing their loyalty to a certain group of people, so what does this word "ban" actually supposed to be !? Nobody can "ban" something that's in peoples minds and in their social behavior, it can only be made illegal and if that's gonna change anything ! What a bunch of "out-of-touch-with-reality" bunch of idiots can actually believe in that idea !? I certainly don't !
22:41 November 6, 2009 by mikesmithonepercenter
Here is how it happens. The State; in every country; fails its citizens so it needs to find a highly visible Boogie Man to attack. It is the Roman Circus.

The real bikers are all very proud of who and what they are so they have large colorful insignia "Patches". They are out on Front Street where everyone can see them.

Here in the USA the various federal agencies have massive propaganda budgets and they would shame Herr Goebbels. these agencies export there tactics to every other country.

Look into your news papers and you will see that the Motorcycle Clubs are painted as racist white power groups. Then check with the people that really track racist groups; like Klan Watch of the Southern Poverty Law Center; and they will tell you that it is untrue. These same "feds" go to the racists and tell them that the Motorcycle Clubs are Race Traitors.

The propaganda says that Motorcycle Clubs are "Organized Crime" and "International Drug Cartels". that these problems are all over money and turf for making more money.

If it is true show me where the convictions are? Every time you see a "Big Bust" it is for a string of petty offenses that the undercover agents bring to the members.

Look at the attacks on the Bandidos, the Gremium, the Outlaws and the Hells Angles by the SEK where they storm clubhouses during parties and put everyone face down into the snow with their hands tied behind their backs for hours on end. What do they find after they have vandalized the Clubhouses? Nothing. Some ball bats, some individuals' personal drugs for the evening that they threw down, and on a rare occasion a gun or knife.

Where are the slaves, the hordes of drugs and money? All you see is what their propaganda department sends out to the press. The Motorcycle Clubs never get an answer because no asks them first. The cops get the first say and they have professional liars to say it.
17:52 November 8, 2009 by Psypher
Wow, and I thought I was paranoid!!

@mikesmithonepercenter: dude, I appreciate your argument, and to a certain degree you are absolutely right. That said, there ARE a plethora of biker gangs that most certainly are involved in criminal activity that harms society as a whole (and yeah, they ruin it for all the groups that want nothing more than to be left alone to ride their bikes and get tore up at their local watering hole).

Yes, cops/gov't have the first say. I mean, you don't arrest people and then ask them whether they think they deserve to be arrested or not...
02:31 November 13, 2009 by mikesmithonepercenter
Dear Psypher:

You have made my point. The propaganda folks have you convinced that I messed it up for you. Now if I am a criminal how does that mess it up for you? What logic gives the SEK the right to put their jack boot against your neck if you've done nothing wrong. We moved past that thing about all black people can tap dance years ago. So if some bikers are criminals are all bikers criminals? How is the leap made to hold water? The man or woman that smokes pot is committing a crime. They really don't think of it like that but they are. the person that sold them that pot is no more a criminal than they are. Crime is crime and its toll on society is all the same.

Every year more cops are busted committing crimes than bikers but are they under the microscope? NO and they control what the media sees of it so it gets soft pedalled in the press. Most cases the cops are allowed to resign "for the good of the Department".

If there is probable cause for an arrest then an arrest should be made without an argument. I never said different.

When bikers get harassed or busted they rarely get a say AFTER THE FACT.
17:37 January 16, 2010 by xxx
mister bach i got the 400eu from south esp fine but i think its between u and i and nothing to do with the silly gangman from vridsl....
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines
Photo: DPA

Europe’s German agenda

As Europe continues to fumble its way through its debt crisis, can Germany’s reforms from a decade ago really serve as an example for the rest of the Continent? The Local’s Marc Young look back to see an agenda for the future. READ (9 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Bestiality brothels spur call for animal sex ban

Animal sex abuse is on the rise in Germany, with bestiality brothels being set up across the country, according to a state animal protection officer demanding stronger laws to protect mankind's furry and feathered friends. READ (19 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Hamburg sues over pricey, late concert hall

Hamburg city is suing the firm building its landmark new concert hall for going tens of millions of euros over-budget and being at least four years late. READ (1 COMMENT) »

Italian children remember people killed by the Nazis. Photo: DPA

Germany not responsible for Nazi-era crimes

The United Nations’ highest court declared Friday that modern day Germany isn’t responsible for Nazi war crimes in Italy, saying Rome breached international laws when its courts allowed compensation claims to be made. READ (19 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Cake in the face for 'Baron Cut-and-Paste'

Critics of disgraced former German Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg hit him in the face with a big cake on Thursday night, while he was meeting a Pirate Party politician in a Berlin café. READ (14 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Most Germans want president to resign

Most Germans now want President Christian Wulff to resign, as the flow of allegations over his behaviour and investigations into his relationships with businesses continues to damage his credibility. READ (4 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Thousands of US troops leaving Bavaria

The US military will close bases at Bamberg and Schweinfurt in the German state of Bavaria by 2015 as part of a planned drawdown of its forces stationed in Europe. READ (11 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Judge jails wrong-way crash driver indefinitely

A 35-year-old man who deliberately drove the wrong way down a south German motorway and crashed head-on into a car, killing one person has been jailed for 12 years but may be held indefinitely under preventative detention rules. READ (7 COMMENTS) »

More National
Highlights
Photo: DPA
OPINION »
Germany’s public transportation largely operates on the honour system, which makes fare dodging easy. You can have your say on how Germany should deal with the problem.
Photo: DPA
SOCIETY »
Macho German football legend Rudi Assauer says he has Alzheimer’s Disease, an admission one expert told The Local could help stoke discussion of an illness often considered taboo.
Photo: DPA
SOCIETY »
A 64-year-old tub of American lard has been deemed fit for human consumption by food safety authorities in the eastern German state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
Photo: Yves Gabriel
LIFESTYLE »
What's on in Germany: February 2 - 8
Photo: Columbia Pictures
LIFESTYLE »
The Local's English-language movie listings for Germany
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
As Hamburg’s legendary Reeperbahn strip gentrifies, Stephen Lowman reports how the city’s “sinful mile” is changing.
Photo: DPA
SOCIETY »
The urban street slang spoken by young Germans is so distinct that one language expert is arguing for it to be recognised as a proper dialect.
Photo: Bavarian International School
SPONSORED ARTICLE
A global education - a Bavarian community
Photo ECLA
SPONSORED ARTICLE
A truly international education at the heart of Berlin



See all ads | Join the Marketplace

Jobs in Germany, in English

1305 jobs available
783 new jobs this week
0 new jobs today

ALL JOBS »

Blog
Essentials

Dating
Looking for your own blonde bombshell? Or is the strong, silent type more your style? Find a German sweetheart here.

Weather
"After clouds comes clear weather," say the Germans. But what about after that? Find out in The Local's weather section.

Blog
German stuff that's distracting us today.

Noticeboard
Whether you want to buy, sell, hire, announce or promote something, here's the place to do it - completely free of charge.

Discuss
Debate the news, ask for advice, make friends - or just let off steam.

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »

News from the Goethe-Institut
News from Young Germany
News from DeutschlandOnline

Toytown Germany
Germany's English-speaking crowd
English-speaking educators (native level)

Hotel reservations in Berlin
Visiting Berlin anytime soon? Book your hotel in Berlin here.
Rental apartments in Berlin
For home-from-home holiday accommodation, search for a Berlin apartment to rent.
Trade CFDs with InterTrader.com
Start trading shares, equities, forex, etc. No commission on equities; Low min. margins. Apply for a CFDs account now!