A high-visibility policing operation was launched in response to unauthorised protest activity in Sydney\u2019s CBD about 12pm today (Saturday 24 July 2021), to ensure the safety of participants, as well as the community and local businesses.
\nOfficers from across Central Metropolitan Region, assisted by specialist resources, were deployed.
\nSo far during the operation, a number of people have been arrested.
\nAs attendees disperse, movement out of the city will be facilitated down George Street.
\nTrains continue to operate and for those at the northern end, access is via Wynyard and Circular Quay Railway Stations.
\nFor those at the southern end, access will be via Central and Redfern with limited access at Town Hall Railway Station.
\nSt James and Museum Railway Stations are closed.
\nThe NSW Police Force recognises and supports the rights of individuals and groups to exercise their rights of free speech and peaceful assembly, however, today\u2019s protest is in breach of the current COVID-19 Public Health Orders.
\nThe priority for NSW Police is always the safety of the wider community.
\nTwo men have been charged with allegedly striking a police horse following unauthorised protest activity in Sydney\u2019s CBD yesterday.
\nA high-visibility policing operation was launched about 12pm yesterday, (Saturday 24 July 2021), to ensure the safety of all protest participants, as well as the wider community and local businesses.
\nDuring the operation, officers were assaulted, and police horses were struck and pushed.
\nFollowing the protest, Strike Force Seasoned was established by the Central Metropolitan Region to investigate persons who committed offences associated with the unauthorised protest and breach of Public Health Orders.
\nAs a result of inquiries, investigators from Strike Force Seasoned attended a unit on Marlborough Street, Surry Hills, about 11.20pm (Saturday 24 July 2021), and arrested a 33-year-old man.
\nHe was taken to Kings Cross Police Station and charged with affray, join or continue in unlawful assembly, commit an act of cruelty upon an animal, and not comply with noticed direction re 7\/8\/9 \u2013 COVID-19.
\nAnother man, aged 36, was arrested at a house in Kalang Road, Edensor Park. He was taken to Fairfield Police Station and charged with assault officer in execution of duty, commit an act of cruelty upon an animal, not comply with noticed direction re 7\/8\/9 \u2013 COVID-19.
\nBoth men were refused bail and will appear today at Parramatta Local Court.
\nOfficers attached to the Strike Force have been working throughout the night to identify those involved in the protest and further arrests are expected to be made.
\nPolice would like to thank the community who continue to work with police and abide by the public health orders.
\nPolice have established Strike Force Seasoned following a police operation in response to unauthorised protest activity in Sydney\u2019s CDB today.
\nA high-visibility policing operation was launched about 12pm (Saturday 24 July 2021) to ensure the safety of all protest participants, as well as the wider community and local businesses.
\nGeneral duties officers from across the Central Metropolitan Region were assisted by specialist police from the Public Order and Riot Squad (PORS), ODIN, Police Transport Command, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command and the Mounted and Dog Unit.
\nDuring the operation, 57 people were arrested and are currently in the process of being charged.
\nAt least 90 Penalty Infringement Notices were also issued for breaches of the public health orders.
\nMinister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said he shared the community\u2019s outrage at the actions of those present at this afternoon\u2019s protest.
\n\u201cThese individuals are on notice, as they have also risked the safety of our frontline officers,\u201d Minister Elliot said.
\n\u201cThey should know that a police strike force has been established and will forensically investigate all CCTV and social media footage collected over the course of the afternoon\u2019s protest.
\n\u201cPolice will not hesitate to bring more charges.
\n\u201cIt will only take one person with COVID-19 to turn to today\u2019s event into a super-spreader, so decent-minded Australians have every right to feel infuriated at such selfish behaviour.\u201d
\nDeputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon, Metropolitan Field Operations, said the work of Strike Force Seasoned, which will comprise of at least 22 detectives, starts now.
\n\u201cOur officers have already started to identify attendees and will continue for as long as required to identify and prosecute all those who broke the law today.
\n\u201cI want to thank the more than 350 police who were part of today\u2019s response. They did not go to work to be assaulted or have projectiles thrown at them \u2013 the actions of the individuals involved in those offences was a disgrace.
\n\u201cI also want to thank the majority of the community who continue to work with police and abide by the public health orders.
\n\u201cThey are in place for a reason and police will continue to enforce them \u2013 our officers will not tolerate those who think the law does not apply to them.\u201d
\nAnyone with information or vision of today\u2019s protest activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers through the online portal or by contacting 1800 333 000. Every single report will be investigated.
\nPolice continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any public health order or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community by contacting Crime Stoppers: https:\/\/nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
\nThe public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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