Two men charged with inciting Melbourne lockdown protests

Two men are accused of inciting lockdown protests in Melbourne this weekend and police say they are actively monitoring social media for others.

Two men have been charged with inciting lockdown protests in Melbourne this weekend.

Police say a 28-year-old Coburg man and 32-year-old Epping man were arrested and charged with incitement on Tuesday morning.

It comes after an investigation into the coordination and encouragement of illegal protests in the CBD this Saturday.

Police are warning those who are thinking of attending to expect a “swift and firm response”.

“We are continuing to actively investigate the coordination and encouragement of this activity, and are committed to putting a stop to this,” the force said in a statement.

“This is a serious breach of the Chief Health Officer directions and jeopardises the health of the entire community.

“We will have no hesitation in issuing $1652 fines to anyone who is breaching the restrictions on the day, or making arrests if necessary.”

Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Andrew Henshaw

Police arrest a man in Roxburgh Park on Sunday. Source: Facebook

Anti-lockdown protesters in Roxburgh Park last Sunday.

The protests have been spreading across Melbourne as unrest grows over strict stage four lockdown measures.

Last Sunday, police clashed with angry protesters during an organised demonstration in Roxburgh Park in Melbourne’s north.

Ugly footage from the event showed protesters baiting officers, setting off flares and running across a major road in front of moving traffic.

Protesters wearing Anonymous or Guy Fawkes masks linked arms, chanting “resistance, resistance” before sprinting from police during the event, which appeared to have been organised on social media platforms, with protesters streaming it live on Facebook.

A number of protesters have already been arrested and fined for being involved in anti-lockdown protests around Melbourne.

Police say they are closely watching social media for people encouraging others to blatantly breach restrictions.