Victoria Police is saddled up for the Melbourne Cup Carnival, with the event back with full crowds this year.
Police will have a highly visible presence trackside at Flemington, in the CBD, and at major entertainment precincts across the four race days, with hundreds of thousands of racegoers 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 across Princes Bridge to Federation Square.
General duties police will be supported by multiple specialist units, including the Mounted Branch, Highway Patrol, Water Police, Search & Rescue, Transit Safety and the Public Order Response Team to ensure the safety of racegoers and all those visiting the city during the 2022 carnival.
Uniform and plain clothes police will be focused on deterring anti-social behaviour at Flemington and across the city.
There will be drug and alcohol testing sites positioned around the racecourse and high-risk areas to detect impaired drivers.
Police will be present in public, membership, and corporate areas, and as always, there will be a strong focus on responsible service of alcohol.
Additional 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 racegoers expected to cruise 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 wands will be in effect, so it may take a bit of extra time to get through the gates.
Public transport and nearby roads are likely to be busy, so those heading to the racecourse are urged to be patient and plan ahead.
The 2022 Melbourne Cup Carnival runs from Saturday 29 October until 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
- Oaks Day, Thursday 3 November
- Stakes Day, Saturday 5 November
Quotes attributable to North West Metro Region Acting Superintendent Scott Johnson:
"It's incredibly exciting to see the Melbourne Cup Carnival race days back with big crowds, as this is a fantastic time to be in our city.
"Police want racegoers and everyone enjoying the carnival to have a memorable time. However, we are reminding people to celebrate in a safe and responsible manner to ensure the carnival is a fun and enjoyable event for everyone.
"Our primary duty is to keep the community safe, but we need the general public to play its 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 rideshare, use public transport or plan to have a designated driver."
