Victoria Police are busy for the Melbourne Cup carnival, with the event set to return with full crowds this year.
Police will have a highly visible trackside presence at Flemington, the CBD, and major entertainment precincts over the four days of racing, with hundreds of thousands of racers expected to descend on Melbourne for the world-renowned event.
People will also see a strong police presence at Monday’s Melbourne Cup celebrations in the CBD along Princes Bridge to Federation Square.
General duty police will be supported by multiple specialist units including the Mounted Branch, Highway Patrol, Water Police, Search and Rescue, Transit Safety and the Public Order Response Team to ensure the safety of racers and to all those who visit the city during Carnival 2022.
Uniformed and plainclothes police will focus on curbing anti-social behavior in Flemington and across the city.
There will be drug and alcohol testing locations located around the racetrack and high-risk areas to detect impaired drivers.
Police will be present in the public, membership and corporate areas, and as always, there will be a strong focus on the responsible service of alcohol.
Protective Services Officers (PSOs) will also be deployed across the public transport network during the Melbourne Cup Carnival, with mobile PSO teams roaming trams and trains to address any crime or anti-social behaviour.
Water Police will be patrolling the Yarra and Maribyrnong rivers between the city and Flemington, with many contestants expected to navigate the waterways in party boats.
Victoria Police has undertaken extensive planning to ensure everyone can enjoy the Melbourne Cup Carnival in a safe and secure environment.
For those heading to Flemington on any of the four race days, security measures including bag checks and security bars will be in place, so it may take a little extra time to get through the gates.
Public transport and nearby roads are likely to be busy, so racegoers are asked to be patient and plan ahead.
The 2022 Melbourne Cup Carnival runs from Saturday 29 October to Saturday 5 November, including:
– Victoria Derby Day, Saturday 29 October
– Melbourne Cup Celebrations in the CBD, Monday 31 October
– Melbourne Cup Day, Tuesday 1 November
– Day of the Oaks, Thursday, November 3
– Stake Day, Saturday November 5
Quotes attributed to Acting Superintendent of the Northwest Metro Region, Scott Johnson:
“It’s incredibly exciting to see the Melbourne Cup carnival race the other day with huge crowds as it’s a fantastic time to be in our city.
“The police want the contestants and everyone enjoying the carnival to have an unforgettable time. However, we are reminding people to party in a safe and responsible manner to ensure the carnival is a fun and enjoyable event for all.
“Our main job is to keep the community safe, but we need the general public to play their part in ensuring safety. This includes drinking responsibly and looking out for your mates.
“If you are planning to drink, plan ahead, take a taxi or ride, use public transport or plan to have a designated driver.”
