TY - JOUR
T1 - Global fears, local anxiety : policing, counterterrorism and moral panic over 'bikie gang wars' in New South Wales
AU - Morgan, George
AU - Dagistanli, Selda
AU - Martin, Greg
PY - 2010
Y1 - 2010
N2 - This article proceeds in three main parts. First, it provides an account of a moral panic that unfolded during a short period in the Australian state of New South Wales over warring motorbike or ‘bikie’ gangs. Second, it sketches a recent history of laws in New South Wales that have expanded police powers, including ‘anti-bikie’ gang laws. The article shows how policing and crime control has become politicised since 9/11 and, accordingly, the extension of police powers has entailed the blurring of the functions of police and security services. This, in turn, raises serious concerns about civil liberties and the rule of law. Third, the article interprets the events surrounding the ‘bikie gang wars’ using classic and more recent moral panic theory as well as ideas around the ‘new penology’. The article concludes by considering the utility of applying the concept of moral panic to the bikie case.
AB - This article proceeds in three main parts. First, it provides an account of a moral panic that unfolded during a short period in the Australian state of New South Wales over warring motorbike or ‘bikie’ gangs. Second, it sketches a recent history of laws in New South Wales that have expanded police powers, including ‘anti-bikie’ gang laws. The article shows how policing and crime control has become politicised since 9/11 and, accordingly, the extension of police powers has entailed the blurring of the functions of police and security services. This, in turn, raises serious concerns about civil liberties and the rule of law. Third, the article interprets the events surrounding the ‘bikie gang wars’ using classic and more recent moral panic theory as well as ideas around the ‘new penology’. The article concludes by considering the utility of applying the concept of moral panic to the bikie case.
KW - New South Wales
KW - gangs
KW - moral panics
KW - police
KW - terrorism
UR - http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/508660
UR - http://anj.sagepub.com/content/43/3/580.full.pdf+html
M3 - Article
SN - 0004-8658
JO - Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology
JF - Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology
ER -