The two-year blood feud between the Hell's Angels and the Outcasts has seen two murders, several shootings, arson attacks and attempted bombings. It is expected to reach new heights in the next few months, following a lull during which both gangs are believed to have been building up their resources.
This weekend Richard 'Stitch' Anderton, a member of the Outcast Motorcycle Club, was starting a three-year jail sentence. Officers from the National Crime Squad found a massive haul of ammunition in his home which they believe was intended to be used as part of an assault on several properties owned by the Angels.
After a tip-off, armed police stopped Anderton, 36, and his common-law wife while he was driving his car close to his home in Poole, Dorset. A loaded Smith & Wesson .45 revolver was found tucked into the waistband of his trousers and additional rounds were found in his pockets.
Amphetamines, cannabis and Ecstasy were found in his car, along with scales and self-sealing bags. A search of his flat uncovered more drugs, hundreds of shotgun cartridges and thousands of rounds of 9mm ammunition.
Detectives were disturbed to discover large numbers of hollow-point rounds, which are designed to expand on impact and cause maximum damage. Such bullets are outlawed under the Geneva Convention because their effect is so devastating.
Decommissioned weapons including an Uzi sub-machine gun, an AK-47 rifle and a rocket launcher were also recovered. It emerged that Anderton was the Outcasts' Sergeant-at-Arms and was responsible for its armoury.
Detectives suspect the guns were purchased with the proceeds of drug-dealing. Although large quantities of 9mm ammunition were found, no 9mm weapons were being kept at the property, leading to speculation that additional weapons may still be in circulation among the gang's 200 or so members.
The dispute between the two gangs is believed to have begun when the Outcasts tried to absorb a small Hertfordshire club, The Lost Tribe, in June 1997. Concerned that such a move would make the Outcasts their equal in numbers, the Angels made the Tribe honorary members.
That November, two members of the Outcasts were arrested in possession of loaded shotguns, allegedly on their way to confront the Angels.
In January 1998, at the Rockers Reunion in Battersea, which had been trouble-free for 15 years, up to 20 Hell's Angels were involved in a brutal attack on two Outcasts.
Angels wearing headset radios helped to identify the victims while others, working in small groups, carried out the attacks. David Armstrong, 33, was dragged from his bike and hacked to death with axes and knives. His friend, Malcolm St Clair, raced to his aid but was stabbed eight times. Witnesses said the Angels had been calm during the 'executions' and seemed pleased with what they had done. One was heard to say: 'I got the bastard. I got him. I did him.'
In March, a fertiliser and petrol bomb was found at the clubhouse of the Angels' Lea Valley chapter in Bedforshire. There was an attempted arson attack on a motorcycle shop owned by the Angels. Then two Outcasts were shot close to their east London clubhouse. Both survived but refused to co-operate with police.
Last November, a Hell's Angel, Ronald Wait, was jailed for 15 years for helping to mastermind the Battersea attack which left two members of the Outcasts dead.
After his arrest, Anderton claimed he had been told the Angels had drawn up a 'death list' containing the names of several Outcasts who were to be 'killed on sight'.
Fearing for his life, Anderton moved from Essex to Dorset and armed himself with the handgun. He claimed the other weapons and the drugs were merely being stored at his property as it was considered to be safe.
Anderton had previously been a 'prospect' member of the Angels. He left for reasons unknown and was believed to have been placed on the 'death list' because he was considered a traitor. The two dead men were also formerly associated with the Angels.
Trouble had been expected to flare at last year's Bulldog Bash, a biker event run by the Angels which earns them around £500,000 each year. The Outcasts had threatened to bomb it and police had urged the Angels to cancel the event. It went ahead without trouble, but detectives believe that both groups, hit by raids which have seen them lose many of their weapons, are simply rebuilding their resources before continuing their conflict.