Victoria Police to use drones, helicopters to monitor parties on Grand Final Day
Melburnians have been put on notice as police plan a major crackdown on rule-breakers for Grand Final Day. Homes, backyards and public spaces will be targeted as part of the blitz.
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Police will use drones and helicopters to spy on fans illegally celebrating the AFL Grand Final on Saturday.
The air wing and the force’s drone unit will monitor crowds at parks, beaches and other hot spots in and around central Melbourne amid concerns footy fans will defy lockdown restrictions.
Homes and backyards will also be checked by dedicated “enforcement squads” as officers saturate Richmond and Geelong.
The metropolitan “ring of steel” will also be bolstered — and expanded to back roads — to stop people sneaking out of the city to watch the game with mates or in pubs in regional Victoria.
And Yarra and Melbourne city councils said they would not change the rules on public drinking for the Grand Final between the Tigers and the Cats.
They say anyone caught with alcohol outside their home should expect to be fined.
Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius said his officers would come down hard on rule breakers.
“We will have a strong, dedicated and highly visible presence right from Geelong to Richmond, as well as other popular public locations including parks and gardens to ensure it is a safe day for everyone,” he said.
“Anyone found to be deliberately or blatantly breaching the restrictions can expect to receive a fine.”
Melburnians are strictly forbidden from having people come to their home to watch the Grand Final due to coronavirus restrictions.
But even footy fans who toast the premiership with a drink outside their property risk being slapped with a fine.
Public boozing is banned across the City of Yarra, including Swan Street, and Punt Bridge roads, and on council-owned nature strips in residential areas.
The City of Melbourne is also maintaining its ban on public boozing across the CBD, Kings Domain and Docklands — including Ron Barassi Snr Park, Docklands Park, Monument Park and Buluk Park.
However, up to 10 people from two households can enjoy beers at “prescribed” areas.
These include Flagstaff Gardens, Fitzroy Gardens and Jolimont Reserve, just a stone’s throw from the MCG.
Swan Street in Richmond was swamped by thousands of fans who climbed buildings and partied in the street following the Tigers’ premiership wins in 2017 and 2019.
Fans have been put on notice that similar celebrations will not be tolerated late on Saturday night, with police including the public order response team and the mounted branch set to be out in force.
Police units will also be actively patrolling the suburbs and regions including Geelong where pubs and restaurants are open to a limited capacity of people.
Operation Sentinel, the force’s dedicated coronavirus enforcement squad, will be checking homes suspected of hosting unlawful backyard BBQs or gatherings.
Those caught will be slapped with $4957 on-the-spot fines.
The “ring of steel” around metro Melbourne will also be strengthened with random mobile checkpoints on back roads and feeder roads to catch city drivers trying to celebrate the footy or holiday in the country.
Highway patrol units will ramp up alcohol and drug testing amid concerns people consuming alcohol at home could get behind the wheel.
There will also be a strong police and PSOs presence on public transport.
Cats supporter Jamie Sommer, 35, said fan morale was high despite Victorians having to enjoy the game from afar.
“I usually try and get to as many games as I can, but it has still been a great season. Supporters, no matter where they are, will be there in spirit,” he said. “I’ll still be losing my voice. they’ll hear me up in Queensland.”
Anti-lockdown protesters are planning to rally in the CBD on Friday, the Grand Final Eve public holiday.
Police warned the same enforcement will be unleashed on those demonstrators if they go ahead with the so-called “Melbourne Freeday Rally” at the Shrine of Remembrance.
“We have significant resources committed to ensuring that anyone gathering on Friday, or over the weekend, is doing so in accordance with the Chief Health Officer’s directions,” Mr Cornelius said.
“If people are found to be gathering in large numbers or blatantly breaching the rules, we will have no hesitation in taking appropriate action.”
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