By Luke Voogt
A Geelong-led police operation targeting about 60 Hells Angels visiting Lorne this weekend has drawn a backlash online.
Social media users have slammed the use of resources for policing a bikie trip, saying command should instead focus on crimes including ethnic gang violence and home invasions.
Geelong Acting Superintendent Graham Banks responded to the online criticism, saying the operation was an appropriate use of resources and would not compromise policing in Geelong.
“Police will be maintaining the normal response levels to the greater Geelong area and are able to do so because we’ve been supported by other parts of Victoria Police.”
Police would work hard to detect and deter anti-social behaviour, and keep the peace in Lorne, Supt Banks said.
He declined to say whether police expected any trouble from the outlaw motorcycle gang.
“They’re doing their annual run, which all bikie groups tend to do.
“Police will make arrests if there is evidence of any offence being committed.“
The Age reported two weeks ago that a number of hotels in Lorne accepted bookings from the Hells Angels but later cancelled them on the instruction of police.
Supt Banks rejected the claim.
“No, police confirmed with (the) management (of the hotels) that they had made a booking, which may relate to this group,” he said.
“Commercial decisions as to whether this booking is accepted are a matter for the businesses concerned.”
The article reported the gang and their families had booked accommodation at the Grand Pacific Hotel, which Supt Banks declined to confirm.
The Indy contacted a manager at the hotel yesterday who declined to comment.
“The person who is in charge of bookings is away until Saturday,” the manager said.
Geelong police warned the public Hells Angels would be in Lorne over the weekend in post about the operation, which sparked the online backlash.
“The safety of the community is the highest priority for Victoria Police,” the post read.
“We want to reassure the Greater Geelong and Surf Coast communities that police will have a highly visible presence over the weekend as they closely monitor the ride.”
Scores of people took to social media to complain about “police priorities”.
One commenter said police should concentrate on stopping burglaries, assaults, car theft and home invasions.
The majority of commenters said Victoria Police should focus on “African gang” crime in Melbourne instead of the Hells Angels event.
Meanwhile Crime Statistics Agency released data showing crime had plateaued in Geelong last year, with three fewer offences during 2017 than in 2016.
Assaults rose by seven per cent, robbery by 20 per cent and sexual offences almost doubled, while burglaries and thefts dropped by 12 and 17 per cent respectively.
