Overview

• Police intelligence points to four rival groups, including far-right and opposing factions, planning confrontations in the CBD on Saturday.
• The CBD has been declared a designated area, enabling weapon searches and directions to remove face coverings.
• Specialist teams — the public order response, critical incident response and mounted officers — will be deployed to maintain order.
• Superintendent Troy Papworth warned that anyone intent on fighting, throwing objects or abusing others should expect arrest and time in a police cell.
• The planned response coincides with the search for Dezi Freeman in Porepunkah, where more than 400 officers are committed, limiting flexibility for public-order policing.