Police prepare for New Year’s Eve security blitz across Victoria

POLICE on the water, on horseback and on the street will unite in a safety blitz to keep New Year’s Eve revellers safe with a “final ring of protection” built in Melbourne’s CBD.

POLICE on the water, on horseback and on the street will unite in a security blitz to keep New Year’s Eve revellers safe.

A “final ring of protection” made up of extra concrete bollards will shield revellers in Melbourne’s CBD.

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Early patrols will operate along foreshore hotspots including St Kilda, where thousands of partygoers trashed the beach on Christmas Day.

Thousands of partygoers trashed St Kilda beach on Christmas Day.. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Andrew Crisp told the Sunday Herald Sun: “There will be a significant number of police members deployed across the state. People will see a lot of uniforms.’’

Extra bollards have also been placed around the city, and Flinders St, where a car last week killed an 83-year-old man and injured 18 other pedestrians, and Collins St will be focal points.

Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Andrew Crisp. Picture: Alison Wynd

“We are providing that final ring of protection,’’ Mr Crisp said. “We do not want people to be afraid — we want them to come out and enjoy New Year’s Eve.”

Specialist squads including the Water Police, Mounted Branch, Operations Response Unit, Public Order Response Team and Air Wing will be involved in tonight’s security ­effort.

Victoria Police’s new elite rapid-response CBD strike squad and loudspeaker alert system will also operate in the event of a serious incident.

Victoria Police are preparing for a show of force for New Years Eve. Picture: Jason Edwards

Frontline police in the city will be on particular lookout for mobile phone-snatching thieves like those who stormed a family festival in Caroline Springs this year.

Extra patrols in St Kilda will operate from the early afternoon, in line with a successful strategy used in recent years.

About 5000 drunken revellers descended on the foreshore on Christmas Day, leaving behind an $18,000 clean-up bill.

Alcohol has now been banned in the area.

Plastic bollards along Princes Bridge to prevent pedestrians from vehicle attacks. Picture: Tony Gough

“What we saw on Christmas Day was totally unacceptable,’’ Mr Crisp said.

“On New Year’s Eve over the last three years, we have made a concerted effort in terms of how we police the foreshore.

“We get the police out early — we set the scene and the tone.”

Revellers were urged to use public transport, plan to have a designated driver and look out for their mates.

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