Sydney  - Two of Australia's biggest motorcycle gangs could soon be banned and their members arrested for associating with one another under new laws.

New South Wales Assistant Police Commissioner Catherine Burn said Wednesday that a wave of arrests in Sydney had laid the groundwork to push through legislation proposed last week after violent clashes between gangs.

"The new legislation was about declaring a particular organization a criminal group, and I would say that this is a path that we will now be able to go down as a result of these arrests," Burn told reporters.

The Rebels and the Comanchero are likely to be the first gangs proscribed. Police could then arrest any member wearing gang colours or associating with other known gang members.

Comanchero boss Mahmoud Hawi, 28, is among more than a dozen motorcycle gang members picked up since a March 22 clash at Sydney's airport that resulted in Hell's Angels Anthony Zervas being bludgeoned to death in front of horrified travellers in the crowded arrival hall.

A week after Zervas was bashed to death, an unknown gunman put eight bullets into his brother, Peter Zervas, 35, as he sat in his car.

Zervas left hospital Tuesday against doctors' orders and went into hiding. He declined police protection.

Hawi, who had been in hiding before giving himself up to police, did not seek bail while he awaits a court appearance on charges related to the airport bashing.

Hawi is said to have a big bounty on his head and might prefer police custody rather than being free on bail and a target for rival gangs.

Craig Caldicott, a lawyer who has represented gang members, claimed that motorcycle gangs are only engaged in "the promotion of interest in motorcycles of British or American make."

Police said they believe otherwise, alleging that running drugs and protection rackets are the core business of the motorcycle gangs and that the upsurge in violence is a result of turf wars between gangs for control of the illicit drug trade.

Burns said two of the recent arrests were linked to "controlled drug purchases from alleged drug suppliers" that police arranged to gather evidence.

"We are alleging that two of the people have links to Rebels OMCG [Outlaw Motorcycle Gang] and one has links to Comanchero OMCG," she said.

Police have beefed up security around local politicians for fear there will be reprisals. The Defence Force has also increased patrols at its weapons stores in case gangs raid military installations to add to their armouries.

There are reports of gangs buying up weapons on the black market and of gang members arriving in Australia from affiliates abroad to add muscle as their rivalries intensify. (dpa)