Police warn of hundreds of Hells Angels in BC city this weekend

Police in Surrey, B.C., are warning residents about hundreds of Hells Angels who have arrived in the city, saying they have a history as "perpetrators and attractors of violence."

Surrey Police say officers monitored a large motorcycle procession Thursday from Coquitlam to Surrey, with no incidents or disturbances to report.

The police service says more than 700 members of the motorcycle gang are expected in the city and nearby communities as they gather to pay respects to Rick Ciarniello, a founding member of the Angels in British Columbia who died on March 13.

Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton says Hells Angels members are expected to remain in the area through the weekend, and additional police will be working as a precaution.

Houghton says people need to be mindful of traffic safety given the large number of motorcycles.

He says residents also need to be more aware in restaurants, bars and nightclubs, and use their "best judgment" while not being surprised at the motorcycle gang's presence.

But he says there are no additional concerns to public safety "than usual."

"As police have seen and our communities across British Columbia have seen over the last couple of decades, members of outlaw motorcycle gangs, including the Hells Angels, have been both perpetrators and attractors of violence," Houghton says.

"Cities like Kelowna have seen extreme violence related to the Hells Angels, as have many jurisdictions around the Lower Mainland. So that's why there's going to be an increased police presence throughout the weekend."

Houghton says officers will pay "special attention" to restaurants and bars "to prevent any gang-related incidents" and people should be aware that police presence is likely in areas where large groups of gang members are gathering.

He says the gang has been relatively co-operative about communicating plans for large gatherings.