Massive police force deters anti-lockdown protesters from entering Sydney
A major police operation involving checkpoints, air, water and foot patrols has prevented a repeat of last Saturday’s anti-lockdown protests in Sydney — but a number of people were still arrested.
NSW
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With one of the biggest Sydney policing operations in recent memory keeping everyone out of the city, the proposed second anti-lockdown protest was a non-event.
More than 1300 police prevented crowds from gathering in the city nor the surrounding suburbs on Sunday, with officers patrolling the skies, the harbour and the roads.
Police underwent an enormous checkpoint operation around Sydney — including closing the Harbour Tunnel in both directions — to thwart any repeat of last weekend’s lockdown rally.
Hundreds of officers stopped vehicles at various points, closing off streets and maintaining a heavy presence at railway stations.
Taxis and ride share services were unavailable in the city on Saturday, with anyone trying to book an Uber told trips are “prohibited” from 9am to 1.30pm.
Eight people were arrested and more than 250 fines were issued during the high-visibility operation, with most given to people moving outside of their LGAs and breaching the stay-at-home orders.
Police in Oatley arrested a 45-year-old man who was subject to a Public Safety Order for travelling without a reasonable excuse.
He is expected to be charged.
Police also charged a man on the Central Coast, saying the 49-year-old was allegedly connected to the “incitement” of the protest.
NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon said another police operation is planned for today to make sure everyone stays at home.
“More than 70,000 vehicles were checked by police at 11 designated traffic points stationed on major roads leading into the city centre, and 42 mobile units deployed across our roadways,” he said.
“Today’s activities demonstrate to the community that NSW Police will not tolerate actions that present a risk to public safety and our ability to stop the spread of COVID-19. We continue to ask the community to work with police to ensure compliance.”
Trains were also running at a reduced schedule and trackwork on key lines into the city including the T1 north and western lines stopped anyone from heading to Central.
Locals getting some exercise were even allowed into the park after being checked by police.
A group of officers patrolled Victoria Park, where many arrests were made last weekend in case of a repeat of the bad behaviour.
On Oxford St, police kept a close eye on the traffic, stopping people on the street and checking ID.
Police Minister David Elliott said he was relieved protesters took police warnings seriously and withdrew their threat to breach the Public Health Orders.
“Nobody wants to repeal these restrictions more than me” Mr Elliott said.
“The public hate them, the government hates them and the police hate them. However, the sooner we see full compliance the sooner we will kill transmission of the virus.”
Mr Elliott warned people about attending future rallies before lockdown is lifted.
“The only thing that’s going to stop lockdowns from being a distant memory is a lack of compliance. It’s as simple as that,” he said.
Police will continue to pursue those who attended last week’s protest and thanked the public for the tens of thousands of calls to Crime Stoppers identifying those present.
“We’ve had father’s report children, employers report employees and friends report on friends,” he said.
“That’s a fair indication of how bitterly upset the public have been over this selfish behaviour. They just want their lives back.”
A high visibility Police operation is underway in the Sydney CBD. A heavy Police presence is on all major roads leading into the CBD. The Harbour Tunnel is currently closed due to the operation. Police urge motorists to avoid the area. Please monitor @LiveTrafficSyd for updates.
— NSW Police Force (@nswpolice) July 31, 2021
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said not only would protesters be prosecuted, but they would potentially be giving the virus to their loved ones.
The warning comes as a major investigation is launched after a shocking claim that four NSW Health staff attended last week’s shameful protests.
The ministry on Friday night confirmed it was making the inquiries.
“NSW Health agencies are aware of reports of four staff who it is claimed attended the lockdown protest,” it said in a statement.
“Each report is being investigated and any individuals found to have breached the code of conduct will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.”
“Forget about the rest of us, but you could be taking the disease home and passing it on to your parents, your siblings, your brothers and sisters or anybody you might have limited contact with,” Ms Berejiklian said on Friday.
“Do not give those you love the most a death sentence.”
People considering attending anti-lockdown protests have been told that doing so would land them “right in the hands of police”.
At least three anti-lockdown groups took to message sharing platform Telegram to warn protesters that no official events were planned for Saturday, and strongly advised against anyone attending any meeting.
“We strongly advise against attending any protest events that claim to be operating,” the group said.
Police and health authorities were alarmed on Friday after a man who attempted to attend last weekend’s protest but was turned away later tested positive.
So far more than 200 people have been fined and more than 60 arrested after last weekend’s unauthorised protest.
It comes as the ADF are deployed to Sydney to help police make the over 2000 compliance checks needed to ensure positive Covid cases are staying at their homes.
“The sheer volume and increase in the last week has been enormous,” Mr Fuller said.
“The level of compliance checks has gone from hundreds into the thousands.”
Not all the police officers or the 300 ADF officers making the compliance checks will be vaccinated, but Mr Fuller said there will be a “high level of PPE” being used.
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