Poland on alert as Hells Angels bikers rally near Warsaw

WARSAW, Poland — Polish police are on alert as Hells Angels bikers from clubs across Europe and the United States gather near Warsaw for an annual meeting.

Officers could be seen searching the bags of Hells Angels members as they arrived Friday at the gates of a hotel resort in Rynia, 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of the capital.

Police say they expect about 1,000 bikers in total. Interior Minister Mariusz Blaszczak says 5,000 police were being deployed to ensure no trouble during the weekend event.

A TVN24 report showed Polish police stopping bikers and checking their travel documents on a highway leading from Germany.
 

The club has gained a bad reputation in the United States because of members' involvement in deadly fights. In recent years its annual "Hells Angels World Run" meetings have been held in other countries.

The Hells Angels, founded in California in 1948, say they have chapters in 55 countries, including five in Poland alone.