MID North Coast Police have arrested two people and issued 21 penalty infringement notices (PINs) after alleged unauthorised protest activity at local council chambers across the region today.
There were alleged protests targeting the chambers at Kempsey Shire, Port Macquarie-Hastings and Nambucca Valley councils.
To the south, Manning-Great Lakes Police arrested five and issued 20 infringement notices.
Across NSW, police arrested more than 150 people and issued almost 600 PINs.
Acting on information and intelligence, the NSW Police Force deployed more than 900 officers this morning to conduct high-visibility patrols of various sites expected to be targeted by unauthorised protests, including NSW Parliament House and local council chambers.
General duties officers from across NSW were supported by the Public Order and Riot Squad, Operations Support Group, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Police Transport Command, the Dog and Mounted Unit, and other specialist units.
Police responded to 79 unauthorised protests, during which three officers received minor injuries following interactions with protestors at Lismore, Murwillumbah and Raymond Terrace.
In total, 153 people were arrested, many of whom were released after officers were able to establish their identity to issue a PIN.
Others were charged with a variety of offences including various breaches of the public health order, assault police, resist arrest, refusing to comply with police direction, and failing to move on.
A total of 573 PINs were issued, including not wear fitted masked covering in prescribed outdoor gathering ($500), not comply with noticed direction re s7/8/9 - COVID-19 ($1000), and unlawfully participate in outdoor public gathering - stay at home order ($3000).
