Examining the OMCGs

Session Submission Type: Roundtable Session

Abstract

The term gang is generally associated with poor, working class youth, often experiencing broken homes, and living in economically deprived areas. However, motorcycle gangs (OMCG) exist outside of this, and with little relationship to ‘street gangs’, and members from an array of backgrounds and occupations. This makes them an entirely unique criminal group/organization. Recent studies in the Netherlands have resulted in a profiled member which provides a clear indication of the formation of these groups. Evidence suggests that over 80% of members have been convicted of at least one crime, and 1 in 3 have been convicted of 10 or more crimes. One such area of concern is the relationship between the OMCGs and the sex-trade. In north America the relationship between the OMCGs and the sex-trade is well documented, and inevitable ties to human trafficking is seen to be of growing concern. Similar events, and experiences in the Australian state of Queensland have resulted in the criminal association law which allows the Attorney-General to list outlaw motorcycle gangs as criminal organisations; effectively outlawing the outlaws. Through a discussion of theory, evidence and policing this group considers the current state of knowledge and the way forward in an international setting.

Sub Unit

• Area VIII: Roundtables

Individual Presentations

• Join the gang! The attraction of membership in the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs - Andy Bain, University of Mount Union

• Bikes, Bros and Hoes : It’s all About Sex - Amelia Davies Robinson, University of Mount Union

• Lets Just Ban the Bikies – a radical legislative response to outlaw motorcycle gangs - Mark Lauchs, Queensland University of Technology

• "We are no boy scouts" - An Exploratory Study of the Criminal Careers of Members of One-Percent Motorcycle Clubs - Melvin Soudijn, Dutch National Police; Arjan Blokland, NSCR; Lonneke van Hout, National Police of the Netherlands