SA: Gypsy Jokers escorted by police on national run

AAP General News (Australia)
12-31-2003
SA: Gypsy Jokers escorted by police on national run

By Steve Larkin

ADELAIDE, Dec 31 AAP - About 100 Gypsy Joker bikies were today escorted by unprecedented
police numbers from South Australia across the Victorian border.

The bikers, all members of the motorcycle gang, departed Adelaide for an undisclosed
western Victorian location for New Year's celebrations tonight.

SA Police issued six infringement notices to club members for speeding and driving
unlicensed offences, but said the gang was largely well behaved on the opening day of
a national run.

Police patrols shadowed the gang from their departure from their northern Adelaide
clubhouse from 8am CDT until they crossed into Victoria about 1pm CDT.

"We believe that the high visibility presence has provided reassurance, and we will
continue to do so," SA Police assistant commissioner Madeleine Glynn said today.

"This is actually quite a dangerous exercise, to have a lot of people travelling at
100kph, it requires careful management."

Asst Comm Glynn said club hierarchy were in contact and cooperating with police.

At a similar club run to Beachport in SA's south-east in 2001, 11 bikies were charged
with the bashing of three police officers.

Weapons, including knuckledusters, knives and clubs, were also seized.

AAP sl/tma/de

KEYWORD: BIKIES NIGHTLEAD

2003 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.