Melbourne Cup Parade: Police boost amid concern about anti-racing protests
The police numbers at Monday’s Melbourne Cup Parade could be as much as doubled, as the force dramatically escalates their presence amid fears anti-racing protesters will disrupt the event.
VIC News
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Police numbers will be dramatically escalated at Monday’s Melbourne Cup Parade amid fears anti-racing protesters will disrupt the event.
The Sunday Herald Sun has been told officer numbers could as much as double.
But Victoria Police would not reveal how many of its troops would be deployed.
A source told the Sunday Herald Sun police numbers would be doubled compared with previous years amid fears parade participants could be exposed along the Swanston St route, which will run from Bourke St to Federation Square.
Up to 200 protesters from the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses are expected but promised no violence.
Group spokeswoman Kristen Leigh said protesters planned to “call out” jockeys, trainers and owners from the sidelines only.
“We plan to disrupt the parade by cutting across the music and pro-racing propaganda but we won’t physically be blocking the parade,” she said.
Ms Leigh said the anti-racing group had been “inundated” with calls about the treatment of racehorses in recent weeks and it was highly possible other protest groups would attend tomorrow’s parade.
It remains unclear whether anti-mining protesters involved in ugly scenes this week will turn up.
“A lot of people that care about animals tend to be active in other spaces too,’’ Ms Leigh said.
Asked if Victoria Police was doubling police numbers, a spokeswoman said: “As per standard practice, we will not be confirming specific police numbers or how much we are increasing police numbers by.”
“The community can be reassured we will have an appropriate deployment, supported by the right mix of specialist capabilities to ensure the parade is conducted safely,’’ she said.
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The Victoria Racing Club in a statement confirmed it was expecting increased protester activity during this year’s cup carnival, including the parade.
“Additional police and private security resources will be in place to reduce unlawful interference and to ensure the rights of people to experience an enjoyable day out are not infringed,’’ it said.
“The VRC respects people’s rights to peaceful protest and supports VicPol dealing with activity that threatens any aspects of operations or safety at Flemington or the Melbourne Cup Parade.”