Question - ACT Policing

1. How many ACT Police were in attendance outside of the Rebel outlaw gangs event on 23 and 24 March 2024.
2. What other resources were diverted to cover this event by police.
3. What was the nature of the operation by police.
4. How many arrests were made.
5. What was the impact of the operation to secure the event on other police resourcing in the ACT.
6. What was the cost to the ACT taxpayer of the police response.
7. Does the absence of anti-consorting laws factor in the presence of the Rebel outlaw gangs converging on the ACT.

(1) How many ACT Police were in attendance outside of the Rebel outlaw gangs event on 23 and 24 March 2024?

Approximately 400 Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) members attended events in the ACT between Friday 22 and Sunday 24 March 2024. This required a significant police presence to ensure the safety of all Canberrans. ACT Policing does not discuss details about the numbers of police officers involved in any operation, however it did require a significant police presence around certain parts of Canberra. 

(2) What other resources were diverted to cover this event by police?

Resourcing for the event was covered by normal rostering and via overtime arrangements. Attending officers were drawn from across all functions of ACT Policing, with federal agents from AFP National also assisting. All Australian state and territory policing agencies supplied police officers to assist with the response to the event. These members attended at their agency’s own cost, due to mutual agreements between the jurisdictions to assist each other where possible. NSW Police Force maintained a presence at and around the ACT/NSW borders before, during and after the event.  

(3) What was the nature of the operation by police?

The aim of the operation was to ensure a strong visible police presence around the location utilised for the events across the weekend and to monitor the activities of the Rebels OMCG to detect and disrupt any criminal activity or threats to the wider Canberra community. This was achieved by identifying each person attending the Rebels function, containing and monitoring their activities at the designated venue and monitoring the movements and sightings of Rebels members across the ACT.  The operation also involved the collection of intelligence which will assist to inform the national picture of the Rebels OMCG in Australia.

(4) How many arrests were made?

Nil arrests were made by police across the three days. One OMCG member was detected drug driving, having been stopped at a vehicle check point in Symonston on Friday 22 March 2024. Several vehicle defect notices were also issued. No other offences or incidents were identified in the ACT.  

(5) What was the impact of the operation to secure the event on other police resourcing in the ACT?

Without significant police presence the likelihood of an incident would have increased. While some officers were diverted away from other activities, ACT Policing was satisfied that the police presence ensured the gathering occurred without any major incident.

(6) What was the cost to the ACT taxpayer of the police response?

ACT Policing ascertained the costs associated with members who worked on activity related to the Rebels’ Run totalled $47, 304.47.

(7) Does the absence of anti-consorting laws factor in the presence of the Rebel outlaw gangs converging on the ACT?

Events of this nature are no longer seen in the Australian states where anti-consorting legislation has been introduced.