A major police operation involving the elite Gang Crime Squad caused significant disruption on Perth's Kwinana Freeway on Tuesday afternoon, following a serious incident linked to outlaw motorcycle gang members.
Freeway Shutdown and Traffic Gridlock
The chaos unfolded around 3:45 PM on April 22, when police were forced to close all northbound lanes of the Kwinana Freeway at Baldivis Road. The drastic measure was taken to allow the Gang Crime Squad to conduct a high-priority investigation at the scene. The shutdown triggered immediate and extensive traffic delays, with motorists advised to completely avoid the area as congestion stretched for kilometres.
Authorities implemented a complex traffic management plan, diverting northbound vehicles off the freeway at Safety Bay Road. The ripple effect of the closure caused severe bottlenecks on surrounding arterial roads, stranding countless commuters during the busy afternoon period. A police spokesman confirmed the operation was directly connected to an earlier incident involving members of an outlaw motorcycle gang.
Gang Crime Squad Takes Control
The deployment of the specialised Gang Crime Squad underscores the seriousness with which police are treating the situation. The squad, which focuses on disrupting and investigating organised crime networks, took charge of the scene on Baldivis Road. While specific details of the initial incident remain under investigation, the police presence was substantial and deliberate.
Witnesses reported seeing a heavy concentration of police vehicles, including marked and unmarked cars, at the location. The focus of their investigation was centred on a specific property or area accessible from Baldivis Road, leading to the necessary freeway closure to ensure public and officer safety.
Community Impact and Police Response
The unexpected freeway closure caused significant inconvenience for thousands of drivers. Social media was flooded with reports of standstill traffic, with some people claiming their journeys were extended by over an hour. Major delays were reported on alternative routes including Safety Bay Road and Patterson Road as drivers sought ways around the blockade.
Police have assured the public that there is no ongoing threat to the wider community stemming from the incident. The operation was described as a contained response to a specific criminal matter. Motorists were finally given relief just after 6:00 PM, when all northbound lanes on the Kwinana Freeway were reopened to traffic. The Gang Crime Squad continues its investigation into the circumstances that prompted the large-scale response.
This incident highlights the ongoing efforts of Western Australian police to combat organised crime activity, even when such operations result in temporary major disruption to infrastructure. Residents in the Baldivis and surrounding Rockingham areas are likely to see a continued visible police presence as inquiries progress.
