Police prepare for St Kilda Festival

Victoria Police is looking forward to seeing the community come together to enjoy this year’s St Kilda Festival and will be there to do everything possible to make sure you get home safely.

Across the nine-day event, there will be a significant number of police on the ground to ensure everyone is having a good time without jeopardising the safety of others.

From 5-13 February, local residents and visitors to St Kilda can expect to see front line officers working closely with specialist police from the Public Order Response Team, Mounted Branch and Water Police.

Police will be on the lookout for any anti-social or criminal behaviour at the festival and surrounding pubs and clubs.

Police will also be monitoring live video feeds from CCTV cameras along the St Kilda foreshore, with officers to be deployed to de-escalate public order disturbances or potentially dangerous situations.

Police will also be ensuring the foreshore is free of alcohol, in line with council by laws.

Highway Patrol officers will be stationed on roads leading into and out of St Kilda ensuring anyone choosing to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be detected and taken off the road.

Quotes attributed to Port Phillip Local Area Commander, Inspector Jackie Kline:

“The St Kilda festival is held in this part of the city for a reason – it is an amazing, beautiful part of Melbourne. If you are visiting, please keep it this way by respecting the local community and the many residents who call the area home.”

“If you are planning on coming to the St Kilda Festival to enjoy some sun while dancing and singing along to your favourite local artist, we look forward to seeing you there.”

“If you are planning to head along to start fights, damage property or get behind the wheel while drunk or on drugs, you are going to have a far less enjoyable encounter with police.”

Lilly Skacej

Senior Communications Advisor

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