Police pad up ahead of Boxing Day Test and major events in Melbourne

With hundreds of thousands of visitors, including a special dignitary from the North Pole coming to Melbourne this week, the community can be assured Victoria Police will be alongside them singing, celebrating wickets, and enjoying the festive season.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Tim Hansen said police would field a highly visible presence across the CBD, Yarra and surrounds for events such as Carols by Candlelight and the Boxing Day Test.

“General duties and specialist police along with Protective Services Officers (PSOs) will be highly visible this week to ensure Melbourne’s streets, roads and public transport hubs are safe as an influx of people descend upon Melbourne,” A/AC Hansen said.

“This is a fantastic time of year to be in our city and Victoria Police has been planning for the security and safety of these events for months.

“We’ll be there to celebrate with the families that come out to enjoy Carols by Candlelight, while we also have special precautions in place to ensure Santa arrives safely.

“From Boxing Day, we are looking forward to welcoming our Kiwi neighbours for an action-packed five days of cricket at the ‘G.

“We encourage fans to flock to the ground in large numbers to witness cricket’s Trans-Tasman rivalry first-hand, but ask that you do so responsibly.

“While police will be closely monitoring the responsible service of alcohol, it’s up to everyone to think about their own sensible consumption of alcohol – especially when spending a warm day in the outer.

“If you’re coming to the ‘G, remember that police, event security and stadium management reserve the right to evict anyone deemed excessively under the influence of alcohol.

Police will also activate Operation Tennyson, a liquor licensing and public order operation that runs throughout Richmond, Collingwood and the Yarra area during major events.

“There will be additional patrols in and around licensed venues in these areas, and general duties officers will be roaming Yarra in brawler vans with support from the Public Order Response Team.

“Anyone coming to the area to either pre-load or drink in excess throughout the night can expect a firm and rapid response from police.”

Jolimont Street and Brunton Avenue will be closed to traffic on Thursday 26 and Friday 27 December to maximise the safety of people moving to and from the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Partial closures may also be in place on other days based on crowd numbers.

Police will also have a highly visible presence on the roads as part of Operation Roadwise with a focus on speed, drink and drug driving, distraction, fatigue and not wearing seatbelts.

There is expected to be a lot more pedestrians in and around the CBD and Yarra area, so everyone needs to look up and look out for each other.

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