The NSW Police Force today announced the launch of Operation Shelter.
The intention of Operation Shelter, led by Deputy Commissioner of Metropolitan Field Operations Mal Lanyon, and Assistant Commissioner Scott Whyte, is to ensure community safety in response to any future protest activity.
It will coordinate high-visibility policing operations at protest activity as well as engage with various community groups to make decisions about protest activity in the interest of public safety.
The operation will also oversee Strike Force Mealing, which has been established to further investigate any offences that may have been committed at a protest between Town Hall and the Sydney Opera House forecourt on Monday 9 October 2023.
NSW Police Force Acting Commissioner David Hudson APM said the organisation’s priority is public safety.
“The intent of the operation is to ensure community safety. That is always our primary focus and our primary intent,” A/Commissioner Hudson.
“Our number one priority will always be the safety of the community – and while we recognise the rights of individuals and groups to exercise free speech and peaceful assembly – decisions under Operation Shelter will be made in the interest of public safety.
Mr Hudson said that any unauthorised protestors will be met with a strong police force.
“To anyone at a protest with intent to cause fear, harm, or commit a criminal offence; our message is very clear, you will be arrested,”
“As we monitor the situation both here and abroad, our priority is to ensure that the entire community feels safe, supported and free to go about their daily lives without the fear of violence or discrimination.”
Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
