Cops on alert for unruly revellers

DRUNKEN louts at the Boxing Day Test and other festive season activities in the Melbourne CBD have been put on notice by police.

Undercover police will patrol Melbourne bars, as will uniformed officers, in coming days across the CBD, Yarra and surrounding areas for events including the cricket match and Carols by Candlelight.

“The people of Victoria attending these events, and our international guests, will see a lot of police around in the CBD, the Yarra area and surrounding suburbs,” Assistant Commissioner Deb Abbott told reporters at the Melbourne Cricket Ground yesterday.

“We do want people to come to these events, to enjoy them, feel safe, be relaxed; but at the same time we are saying to people that we won’t tolerate any anti-social behaviour, any criminal behaviour and any persons that undertakes that type of activity can expect a firm and swift response from police.”

Public order and liquor licensing operations will also be under way during the Australia versus India Boxing Day Test, including plain-clothes police patrolling venues.

In previous years, the leadup to Christmas and the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne has been mired by the fatal Flinders Street car attack and a foiled terror plot.

Ms Abbott said authorities had been monitoring potential risks.

“We have no specific threat to any of the events that are occurring over the course of the festive season; having said that it is part of our planning process and our risk assessment process,” she said.

Melbourne Cricket Club events services general manager Gerard Griffin said between 180,000 and 200,000 people were expected to come

WE DO WANT PEOPLE TO COME (BUT) WE WON’T TOLERATE ANY ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR, ANY CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR DEB ABBOTT, VICTORIA POLICE

to the MCG over the course of the Test match.

“The teams are evenly matched and we’re looking forward to a really good Test,” he said.

Hot and sunny weather is expected during the Test match and Mr Griffin urged cricket fans to be sun-wise and sensible.

“We’d ask people to drink as much water as the alcoholic beverages,” he said. “Just do the right thing by yourself and your friends because it is going to be a hot Test match.”

Revellers are encouraged to use public transport to get in and out of the city as road closures will be in place.