A police spokesman confirmed Strike Force Raptor South officers had been be relocated to State Crime Command's headquarters in Parramatta.

"A decision was made that the staff from the Southern Region could be used in a broader capacity addressing a number of crime areas and issues facing the region," he said.

Read more: Elite police squad created to target Wollongong's feuding bikie gangs

The spokesman said despite there no longer being a dedicated presence in the region, Raptor officers would still investigate bikie criminal dealings in the Illawarra.

"Strike Force Raptor will continue to create and maintain a hostile operating environment for these gangs to disrupt and prevent their criminal enterprises," he said.

Raptor South, the full-time arm of State Crime Command's elite outlaw motorcycle gang squad Strike Force Raptor, was established in April 2018.

"It was a temporary joint strike force between Southern Region and the Criminal Groups Squad's Strike Force Raptor for a six-month period," the police spokesman said.

"This was extended for a further period until August 2019.

"As is the case with all temporary Strike Forces, assessments are regularly conducted as to the best approach for the future."

The Raptor South unit made 152 arrests, laid 361 charges and conducted 17 search warrants, seizing more than half million dollars in cash.

Officers searched 189 premises utilising the firearm prohibition orders legislation and 32 firearms were seized which included, 16 rifles, seven shotguns, four handguns, five replicas.

The Raptor South team included proactive investigators, operations support group operatives, Highway Patrol, and intelligence and analytical staff.

At the time the strike force was established, Southern Region Commander Assistant Commissioner Peter Barrie lauded the unit's success in only two months.

"Raptor South arrested eight people, laid more than 40 charges, and conducted almost 20 operations, including FPO searches and search warrants," he said.

"While we have long enjoyed regular assistance from Strike Force Raptor in targeting members and associates of criminal groups, and their illicit businesses, [a full-time] presence will strengthen our capability to suppress acts of violence and protect the community."

The unit was established partly to disrupt a group of Illawarra criminals accused of reviving the violent Brothers 4 Life gang and operating a local chapter from inside jail.

Then, police arrested several men over a plot to shoot the Illawarra Finks president, Troy Fornaciari, who was also arrested earlier in 2018 on gun and drug charges.