Eight arrested, 250 fined in Sydney during operation to discourage protests

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Police check drivers on Enmore Road as part of the enforcement of public health orders in Sydney.

Sydney police have arrested eight people and distributed more than 250 fines during a large scale operation to discourage anti-lockdown protests.

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More than 1300 police officers were deployed to enforce strict lockdown laws and arrest anyone contravening stay-at-home orders, after an illegal rally went ahead last Saturday.

Checkpoints were set up on major roads and there was a heavy police presence in the CBD during the operation.

READ MORE: NSW records 210 new local COVID-19 cases, the majority in south-west and Western Sydney

Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon said police “implemented and executed an extensive and robust high-visibility” operation today.

“The vast majority of infringement notices were issued to individuals for breaching the stay at home orders by travelling outside their local government areas,” Deputy Commissioner Lanyon said.

“Officers from across the Traffic and Highway Patrol and Police Transport Commands formed a defined barrier around the city, to monitor and prevent persons intent on travelling to the city to protest.

“More than 70,000 vehicles were checked by police at 11 designated traffic points stationed on major roads leading into the city centre, and 42 mobile units deployed across our roadways.”

READ MORE: What Sydneysiders think about tough COVID-19 lockdowns

A 45-year-old man was arrested at a home at Oatley after travelling on trains outside his local government area without a reasonable excuse.

He was taken to Kogarah Police Station, where charges are expected to be laid.

More than 250 penalty infringement notices were issued for breaches of the public health orders.

Strikeforce Season, set up to investigate last week’s protests, have so far arrested 80 people over their involvement in the rally and issued more than 300 infringement notices.