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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Benita Kolovos Victorian state correspondent

‘Vast overreach’: police allowed to conduct warrantless pat-downs of people across inner Melbourne for six months

Police Melbourne Victoria CBD Sarah Schwartz Human Rights Liberty Victoria
A map of the zone declared by Victoria police as a ‘designated area’ until 29 May 2026 under the Control of Weapons Act.
The zone declared by Victoria police as a ‘designated area’ until 29 May 2026 under the Control of Weapons Act. Officers will be able to conduct searches without a warrant in that area, which includes the CBD, Docklands, East and South Melbourne and Southbank. Photograph: VIC Police

Victoria police will have the power to conduct warrant-less pat-downs, search cars and move people on in Melbourne’s CBD for six months, in a move human rights and legal groups have described as a “vast overreach”.

Police on Tuesday declared the CBD, Docklands, Southbank, the sporting and entertainment precinct and parts of East Melbourne and South Melbourne as a “designated area” from Sunday, until 29 May 2026.

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