'Violent, filthy behaviour': Deputy Commissioner Worboys slams anti-lockdown protesters
Over 500 fines were issued in the last 24 hours as NSW Police Commissioner Gary Worboys slammed those who attended Saturday's lockdown protests.
Jack Mahony
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NSW police issue 510 penalty infringement notices in a day
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NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys says the “vast majority” of the 510 penalty infringement notices issued in the past 24 hours were to those who engaged in “violent”, “filthy” and “risky behaviour” at Saturday’s protests. “A strike force is set up right at this moment that continues to ask for people to bring…
New South Wales Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys has described Saturday’s lockdown protest as “violent, filthy, risky behaviour”.
Police were forced into action to contain a roughly 50,000 strong crowd marching in Sydney’s CBD on Saturday protesting the Sydney lockdown.
Mr Worboys said police issued 510 infringement notices for breaching the stay-at-home orders across the state with the majority coming from the protest.
NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys said the behaviour at Saturday's protests was "disgusting". Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles
“Clearly the behaviour was absolutely disgusting. It will not be tolerated, not just by the police, but by the community,” he said.
On Saturday afternoon NSW Police established Strike Force Seasoned to identify those who attended the protest.
“We ask people to upload those files to upload any information that they have to Crime Stoppers,” Mr Worboys said.
“The investigation into people's behaviour yesterday will continue for some time.
Protestors clash with NSW Police officers at Town Hall during a protest to rally for freedom of speech, movement, choice, assembly, and Health in Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi
“I expect over the next few days and perhaps weeks that that number of penalty infringement notices will continue to be high.”
Mr Worboys said a person had been charged in relation to Saturday's protests. A disturbing photo of a man punching a horse in the mouth went viral after it was first shared by the Sydney Morning Herald.
“That person has been charged with animal cruelty offences with affray and various other offences,” Mr Worboys said.
“Again overwhelmingly, there is not a person that supports that sort of dreadful behaviour.”
Protestors at Town Hall during a protest against the lockdown in Sydney on Saturday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi
Mr Worboys said the Police Minister would be making a further announcement about the protests this afternoon.
The deputy commissioner said police welcomed safer behaviour around Bondi Beach which saw less people congregating in groups but said some had begun selling alcohol in the area.
“We still have people, in particular in that eastern beaches area that want to try and sell alcohol to people that are exercising or going out of their home,” he said.
NSW Police have established a strike force of 22 detectives to track down those who participated in an unauthorised anti-lockdown protest in Sydney's CBD. Thousands ignored restrictions and took to the streets - marching from Broadway to…
“Alcohol is prohibited on the beach and in parks around the beach.
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“People need to understand that this is not a time to make money on the back of the public health orders and this state trying to get through the pandemic as best they can.”
Police are calling on people to contact Crime Stoppers to report breaches of the public health orders across Sydney. |
