Hells Angels motorcycle clubs banned in German city

“These gangs are not in any way made up only of harmless motorbike riders,” Hesse state interior minister Boris Rhein said at a televised news conference.
“Many members are known to the police because of violent, drug or weapon-related offenses.”
The interior ministry said it had the authority to ban clubs when their aims or activities break the law.
A recent report from Germany’s federal criminal office showed that one in every 10 investigations into organized crime was linked to a criminal gang of motorbike riders, the ministry said.
Rhein said the authorities were closely monitoring the motorcycle gangs in Hesse and had others in their sights.
“We have a zero-tolerance strategy,” he added.
The Hells Angels were formed in California nearly 60 years ago and have chapters spread around the world. There have been chapters in Germany since 1970.