Bikie crime on downward run

BIKIE offences have dropped significantly since 2015, with a criminologist putting it down to fewer bikies or a drop in police resources.

Queensland Police Annual Reports data showed a marked decline in the number of OMCG offences since 2015.

There were 3253 of these offences recorded in 2016/17 compared to 1367 in 2020/21. In the same period, the number of OMCG members charged halved from 534 to 272.

Since 2016, the public wearing of bikie club colours in Queensland has been banned leading to a perception of fewer outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCG).

Bond University criminologist Terry Goldsworthy said there were two possible reasons for lower offences – fewer bikies committing crimes or a drop in police.

“The more police resources you put into policing a certain group, the more offending you will find,” Dr Goldsworthy said. “I think we have seen a move away from some of the resources we saw dedicated in 2014.

“The last figures I saw, there were about 740 (OMCG) members still in Queensland. Back in 2013 we had 915, so you’ve had about a 20 per cent reduction in numbers.”

But he noted Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission data found the overall number of bikies members across Australia had increased since 2012.

“It may be that they are going to other locations – it’s a possibility they may just be relocating out of Queensland.”

A police spokeswoman said the Organised Crime Gangs Group, including the Coast’s Taskforce Maxima continue to target OMCGS: “OMCG numbers have declined in Queensland since the Serious and Organised Crime legislation, with the Qld laws and success of ongoing police operations disrupting OMCGS’ ability to expand.”