Police have confirmed this morning's shooting incident at a home in Chisholm was bikie-gang related.
In response to escalating tensions between the Nomads and Finks Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs, Hunter police have announced the initiation of Strike Force Darnay to better monitor local bikie behaviour.
Around 1am this morning, police received reports of gunfire from neighbours and attended a home on Duskdarter Street, Chisholm.
They found the house's facade and a car parked out the front peppered with bullet holes.
It's understood the incident was a drive-by shooting, adding to a spate of crimes committed in the Maitland area over the past month.
Indeed, Detective Superintendent Wayne Humphrey says within the Hunter region, there have been six bikie-related public place shootings and two attacks involving Molotov Cocktails since January alone.
However, the Superintendent says the community needn't become frightened, due to the targeted nature of the attacks.
"We are very satisfied that this is a targeted attack.
"We believe there is no danger to the community, in terms of 'randomness' of attacks- this is a targeted attack between two groups undertaking this criminality."
Superintendent Humphrey says the crimes are difficult to investigate due to pacts made between gang members.
"They have a misguided code of silence and we've got to try to break that down...these people are victims of crime, despite the fact they may be members of the gang," he said.
Strike Force Raptor Officers from Sydney are still present in the Hunter to aid investigations, and Wayne Humphrey hopes now, with a specific Hunter taskforce, some real progress will be made.
The Nomads' Clubhouse at Islington and the Finks' base at Muswellbrook both remain declared as restricted premises, allowing police to enforce consorting laws.
 |
| Cracking down: Detective Inspector Wayne Humphrey announces Strike Force Darnay. |
