Thousands of police redeployed amid protest action in Melbourne

Coburg council meeting targeted over Palestinian flag

Victoria Police have been forced to pull thousands of officers away from crime-fighting duties to monitor the soaring number of protests in Melbourne.

Chief Commissioner Shane Patton this morning said the force had redeployed nearly 10,000 officers from across the state including regional areas to ensure public order.

At least 500 protests have been staged across the city over the past six months, with an average of 21 protests held in the CBD weekly.

“We want to get our members out there and be proactive in the community preventing and investigating crimes but we need to bring them in to ensure public order,” Patton said on 3AW this morning.

Patton said protesters were becoming more brazen, referring to the actions of two people charged after interfering with traffic lights earlier this week.

“We have lots of people turning up to these protests in ski goggles for one reason, many are intending to be involved in conflict and they want to prevent the effects of our OC spray,” he said.

“The A15 protest was the first time we have seen traffic lights criminally damaged.

“That is very dangerous, we are talking about road safety and risk to life.”

Protestors on roof at business in Bayswater earlier this year.

Hundreds of school students attended a protest at Melbourne Central.

It comes as more planned protests unfolded across the CBD today, including one involving high school and university students.

Another protest at Flinders Street Station is expected to kick off this afternoon.