A 56-year-old man died following a mass brawl in south Wales on August 6, which police believe involved rival motorcycle clubs Hells Angels and the Vikings. The victim, identified as Anthony Jones, known as Tony, was found with a head wound in an alleyway in Pontnewynydd, near Pontypool, after an incident involving approximately 20 individuals armed with weapons including machetes.
Authorities have arrested 25 men, aged between 18 and 73, in connection with the incident. A 40-year-old man was later arrested on suspicion of murder after police located a blue Ford Transit van they had been seeking. Gwent Police stated that the violent disorder appeared to stem from a rivalry between the Hells Angels and the Vikings.
Mr. Jones's Facebook profile contained references to the Hells Angels and their nickname, '81', and included tattoos with the initials 'AFFA', standing for 'Angels forever, forever angels'. The brawl occurred outside the British Legion Club, with reports from residents indicating some participants used machetes, axes, and hammers. Armed police, a helicopter, and multiple ambulances responded to the scene.
The Hells Angels, a global organization with over 6,000 members in nearly 60 nations, have 16 regional chapters in Britain. The Vikings motorcycle club was formerly known as the Hells Angels Vikings, forming in 1969 before adopting their current name six years later. Both groups have a history of conflict across Britain.
In October 2022, three Hells Angels members attacked a group of Vikings on the A24 in West Sussex, resulting in one man being hospitalized. In May 2022, David Crawford, a member of the Red Devils club affiliated with Hells Angels, was killed when he was struck and dragged by a vehicle in Plymouth. Three members of the rival Bandidos club were convicted in that case.
Further instances of biker gang violence include a 2019 attack by prospective Hells Angels members on a rival gang in Surrey, which resulted in six stabbings. In another incident in 2024, Daniel Laponder was jailed for planting a pipe bomb under a van in Scotland as part of a feud involving the Blue Angels Motorcycle Club.
A construction worker with a decade-long membership in a biker club described the current situation as a "fragile truce," suggesting that serious violence could erupt quickly. He noted that some clubs attract members seeking excitement or protection.
The family of Anthony Jones released a statement describing him as a "much-loved husband and devoted dad" and emphasizing the deep void his death has left. They highlighted his dedication to his family, his sense of humor, and their shared memories of simple times together.
Police are continuing their investigation and have appealed for information from the public, directing them to contact Gwent Police or Crimestoppers.