Police seek nine men over Melbourne protests
Police have released these pictures of nine men they want to question over the chaotic protests that gripped Melbourne, as they set up a taskforce to investigate assaults on officers.
Victoria
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A new police task force has been set up to investigate people suspected of being involved in assaults on officers and criminal damage during a series of fiery Melbourne anti-lockdown protests last month.
The Prime task force has released photographs of nine men they want to talk to over alleged criminal acts during those demonstrations.
The photos were taken during protests in Richmond on September 18 and on the West Gate Freeway and in Carlton, in the aftermath of a fracas outside the city base of the CFMEU on September 21.
Among those being sought are a man wanted for questioning over an incident on the freeway when someone spat through the open window of a woman stuck in a traffic jam after louts took over the road.
That man was wearing an orange T-shirt.
Investigators would like to speak to three other men over an incident earlier that day in which police cars were damaged in Carlton.
The men they are trying to identify from the demonstration on September 18 are being sought over alleged incitement and vandalism of police vehicles.
More than 200 people were arrested that day as police working to enforce the chief health officer’s rules clashed with protesters.
Some of the images released are believed to have been taken from Victoria Police dashcams inside cars under attack.
Hundreds of arrests were made between September 18 and September 24, amid widespread protests motivated by anti-lockdown sentiment, anger at workplace vaccine mandates and what police believe was just pure thuggery.
The force is bracing for another round of protests this weekend.
People opposed to mandatory vaccinations are among those expected to gather on Saturday, though their plans are unclear at this stage.
The absence of a clear leadership structure and use of encrypted apps to communicate before recent events has made their intentions harder to monitor.
Police have poured massive resources into the wave of demonstrations in Melbourne in recent months.
They have been forced to draw on suburban staff and specialist units to put together coverage which topped 2000 officers for one day.
Investigators have asked that anyone with information about the identities of those in the photographs released to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at crimestoppersvic.com.au.
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