Home

NSW police get 15,000 tips over protest

Hannah RyanAAP
Police have charged 60 people over Saturday's protest, with a further 148 copping fines.
Camera IconPolice have charged 60 people over Saturday's protest, with a further 148 copping fines. Credit: AAP

A strike force investigating an anti-lockdown protest in Sydney is working through 15,000 tips as police warn they will quash any attempt at a repeat.

Officers have charged 60 people over Saturday's protest, with a further 148 copping fines.

There have been 15,000 reports to CrimeStoppers following the protests, says NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon.

As lockdown sceptics mull another protest this Saturday, Mr Lanyon said police would show up in high numbers.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

"Police have well and truly planned for any eventuality ... should there be a protest this weekend, there will be sufficient numbers to take appropriate action right across the board," he said.

"We will not tolerate those types of actions."

That includes proactively stopping people from coming into the city.

He warned that police had intelligence officers in social media groups being used to organise the rally.

If people were not arrested on the day, police would hunt them down after any protest, he said.

Police Minister David Elliott said there was "white-hot rage" in the community around people doing the wrong thing.

"Just assume when you're involved in this sort of illegal activity that puts your health at risk, one of your mates is going to dob you in," he said.

Mr Elliott said there would soon be an announcement about penalties for taking part in the protest.

NSW Labor MP Walt Secord has called for new fines to "smash those who operate on the fringes through their anti-vaxxer and far right-wing networks".

His proposal would have protest organisers fined $20,000, those sharing protest information online fined $11,000 and attendees hit with $5000 fines.

Police issued 284 fines for breaches of the public health orders in the 24 hours to 2pm on Wednesday.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails