Advertisement Members of the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang have been surrounded by heavily-armed police as they gather for a weekend celebration. Armed plainclothes police officers along with the Public Order Response unit descended on the Rebels' clubhouse in Sunshine West, Melbourne, on Saturday. More than 100 Rebels bikies arrived from around Australia on Friday and were forced through a series of rigorous police checkpoints. Scroll down for video Members of the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang have been surrounded by heavily-armed police as they gather for a weekend celebration Others were from Sydney's Mount Druitt chapter and wore black jumpers, shirts and vests with bold white writing with the gang's logos to indicate their membership and area The clubhouse remained under close guard on Saturday afternoon as a series of Harley-Davidson convoys blazed up and down the highway outside their industrial unit base. Bikies seen gathered at the site, located in an industrial area 15km outside of the CBD, appeared to be under strict instructions not to talk to the media. But one member told Daily Mail Australia he was looking forward to a weekend away with his friends. 'We're just here to have a good time and catch up with mates we haven't seen in a while,' he said. Those inside the Fairbairn Street base looked like they were in the mood to celebrate, with one member driving a car loaded to the roof with beer into the building in the middle of the afternoon. Another bikie called Kurt carrying out his lookout duties said he had travelled from interstate to be at the event. Members of the gang have travelled from as far away as Western Australia to take part in the event. A number of police officers heavily patrolled the venue where over 100 members of the Rebels motorcycle gang attended Those inside the Fairbairn Street base were in the mood to celebrate, with one member driving a car loaded to the roof with beer into the building in the middle of the afternoon The clubhouse remained under close guard on Saturday afternoon as a series of Harley-Davidson convoys blazed up and down the highway outside their industrial unit base Bikies seen gathered at the site, located in an industrial area 15km outside of the CBD, appeared to be under strict instructions not to talk to the media Others were from Sydney's Mt Druitt chapter and wore black jumpers, shirts and vests with bold white writing with the gang's logos to indicate their membership and area. Names of beloved gang members who have died were visible on one bikie's jumper including Simon Rasic, Micky D and Matty King below the words 'rest in peace'. Simon Rasic, known as 'The King', was sergeant-of-arms of the motorcycle gang, who died due natural causes at age 43 in 2014. Michael 'Ruthless' Davey, known as Micky D was gunned down and killed in Sydney's west in early 2016 while Matt King reportedly died after a drug overdose in October 2013. Names of gang members who have died were visible on one bikie's jumper including Simon Rasic, Micky D and Matty King<doc-sep>Rebels bikies from across Australia are meeting in Melbourne this weekend to mark 20 years of the club's local chapter. Hundreds of outlaw bikers were spotted in the city's west on Friday being subjected to heavy police security scrutiny. Officers made them queue in Sunshine West near the Rebels' clubhouse to undergo licence, registration, roadworthiness and helmet compliance checks as well as drug and alcohol tests. Police assured the community in a statement Friday that public safety was their priority. The Rebels have about 70 chapters across Australia and more than 2000 members.<doc-sep>Riders will face breath and drug tests in the heavily guarded Rebels national run Forces from NSW and Victoria have set up a series of elaborate checkpoints Police officers have formed a ring of steel as ahead of a 100-strong bikie event Police officers have formed a ring of steel as 100 Rebels bikies descend on Melbourne for a massive demonstration this weekend. Officers from New South Wales have joined forces with local police ahead of the event in a bid to crackdown on any criminal behaviour - with Victoria Police saying they will 'act swiftly' if required. A series of elaborate checkpoints have been set up and roads have been blocked off with lines of witches hats in Sunshine West - around 15km west of Melbourne CBD. Footage taken above an industrial estate at Sunshine West show bikies waiting to be registered and screened by police at a checkpoint 2km away. Public Order Response units have also converged on the site to assist the hundreds of police officers in hi-vis vests lining the streets. Riders will face breath and drug tests and be required to undergo helmet compliance and licence checks. 'The run will be closely monitored today to ensure public safety,' State Police Commander David Clayton said. 'I want to reassure the community police will take immediate action to detect and disrupt any OMCG members who breach road safety laws, commit crimes or public order offences. While police would not give exact locations as to where the rally would be going over the weekend, commander Clayton said large numbers of riders were expected in the Sunshine and St Kilda areas. Commander Clayton added: 'It is important for the community to know that we are aware of this event - however I want to make it clear we are not providing an escort or facilitating participation in the event.' Police officers have formed a ring of steel as 100 Rebels bikies descend on Melbourne for a massive demonstration this weekend A series of elaborate checkpoints have been set up and roads have been blocked off with lines of witches hat on Sunshine West (pictured, bikies wait to be screened at a police checkpoint) Officers from New South Wales have joined forces with local police ahead of the event in a bid to crackdown on any criminal behaviour Members of the gang have travelled from as far away as Western Australia to take part in the event. Western Australia Police Commissioner Chris Dawson told 6PR radio on Friday fellow police officers should be wary around the bikies. He said: 'We've got some warnings out for our officers to take particular care because these tensions are emerging. A Perth court heard earlier this month the rival Rebels and Comanchero bikie gangs have 'bash-on-sight orders' against each other as the war between them escalates (stock image) 'What concerns me and should concern the community is when firearms are being used out in public, as we've seen, and people being injured.' The rally comes almost a month after armed officer from NSW State Crime Command's Criminal Groups Squad hunted down around 20 Rebels bikies after they allegedly threatened a police officer on August 10. A Perth court heard earlier this month the rival Rebels and Comanchero bikie gangs have 'bash-on-sight orders' against each other as the war between them escalates. The rally comes almost a month after armed officer from NSW State Crime Command's Criminal Groups Squad hunted down around 20 Rebels bikies after they allegedly threatened a police officer on August 10 (stock image) In 2017, around 300 Rebels members gathered in Devonport, Tasmania celebrated the chapter's 20th year - an event at which they were also heavily screened by police. Police said the run was the Rebels' largest ever at the time. The Rebels have around 70 chapters and 2,000 members nationwide.<doc-sep>
REBELS outlaw motorcycle gang members have been greeted by Victoria Police with an extensive search ahead of a huge gathering in Melbourne this weekend. Pictures from Sunshine West, 16km from the CBD, show hundreds of the gang’s members being stopped and searched at the checkpoint. Sniffer dogs were on the scene to make sure none of the members were carrying drugs. Registration and licence checks were carried out and the riders were also breath tested. It followed a warning from police this morning that members of the OMCG who broke the law or misbehaved would be dealt with “swiftly”. In a statement, Victoria Police said they were “aware” and “prepared to act swiftly if required in response to a planned Rebels national outlaw motorcycle gang event this coming weekend”. Rebels outlaw motorcycle event in Melbourne this weekend. Police are conducting an operation in Melbourne's west today. #7News https://t.co/sUsye2MjtW — 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) October 5, 2018 State Police commander David Clayton said members of the gang from interstate and regional chapters had made their way to Melbourne and that locals should expect and increase in traffic in and around Sunshine and St Kilda. “I want to reassure the community police will take immediate action to detect and disrupt any OMCG members who breach road safety laws, commit crimes or public order offences,” he said. “Taskforce Echo detectives, with support from regional police, the Operations Response Unit, State Highway Patrol and specialist resources will be deployed where and when needed. “Our priority is to ensure public safety and reduce any community intimidation or apprehension.” Commander Clayton said “anyone involved in outlaw motorcycle gang activity and involved in organised crime should be aware they will have our attention”. The gathering is similar to one held last year in Devonport, Tasmania. More than 300 Rebels members took the Spirit of Tasmania to get together for the chapter’s 20th year. The Party Games newsletter Get your political briefing from news.com.au's political editor Samantha Maiden. Sign up The Party Games newsletter Success! Check your inbox for details. See all newsletters On that occasion, they were also screened heavily. In 2016, Rebels members gathered in Melbourne’s Federation Square for a protest against the Federal Government cancelling visas for some gang members. They held signs reading “Keep our families together” and told reporters they were being unfairly targeted. “I thought Australia was meant to be the lucky country. How can this country do this to people?” one member told the Herald Sun. “Bring every single one of them back. If they want to live here, they should be allowed to.” The Rebels have more than 70 chapters around Australia and more than 2000 members.