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

Search powers, usually reserved for protests, will be in effect in the CBD and beyond in a move criticised by human rights groupsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastVictoria 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. Continue reading...