Ban leads to reduced visibility of outlaw motorcycle gangs, but has no effect on the number of offences committed

This is evident from research conducted by the NSCR, VU University Amsterdam and Erasmus University Rotterdam, commissioned by the WODC. Robby Roks, associate professor of Criminology, and Carmen ter Weijden, PhD candidate in Criminology, from Erasmus School of Law are involved in the research. Based on an analysis of police records of 4,780 OMG members, document analysis and interviews with professionals, the research investigated the intended and unintended effects of a civil ban on the behaviour of members of banned and non-banned OMGs. To this end, the objectives of the civil ban were first identified.

Visibility of OMGs has decreased

The bans have resulted in OMG members and their clubs becoming less visible in the public domain. It has become more difficult for members of these clubs to organise club activities and establish clubhouses. In addition, following an irrevocable civil ban, the Public Prosecution Service can more easily confiscate club clothing, something that was only possible to a limited extent without such a ban. Despite the bans, there are a few known examples of club members continuing to meet, such as in private homes.

No decrease in offences committed by current members

At the same time, the study shows that the civil bans have had no effect on the number of offences committed by OMG members. This applies to total criminal involvement as well as organised crime, violent crime and traffic offences. 

It also appears that since the civil prohibitions were imposed, fewer criminal activities are being committed with other OMG members. When members of a prohibited club commit crimes together, they are more likely to do so with individuals outside the OMG scene following the civil prohibition. 

OMG subculture remains popular

Since 2012, there has been an integrated approach to OMGs. This broad approach was partly aimed at reducing the popularity of the subculture. However, measured in terms of the number of clubs, chapters and members, this subculture remains as popular as ever. In 2014, the police registered a total of approximately 1,000 members of Dutch OMGs. Of these, 80% were members of a club that was later banned. In 2020, the total number of members rose to approximately 2,500, after which civil bans led to a decline. Nevertheless, in 2023, more than 1,800 members were still known to the police, 54% of whom were members of a club that had since been banned.

The recent decline in the number of registered OMG members is offset by the emergence of new OMGs in the Netherlands. With the arrival of several new OMGs, the approach seems to have inadvertently contributed to a far-reaching fragmentation of the Dutch OMG landscape. The vast majority of the membership of these new OMGs consists of individuals who have not previously been registered by the police as members of a (Dutch) OMG. 

Recommendations

The study shows that the approach to OMGs has mainly had an effect on the visible activities of clubs that were legal until they were banned. In addition, there are activities that are less easily affected by a civil ban, namely the involvement of members in forms of (organised) crime. Partly in view of the arrival of new OMGs, this study raises the question of how the integrated approach should be continued in the future and whether the priority and commitment of recent years are still proportionate to the current OMG problem.