Extraordinary show of strength as cops swarm Sydney's CBD amid fears anti-lockdown protestors will repeat last week's disgraceful scenes By Sam McPhee For Daily Mail Australia and Australian Associated Press Published: 00:57 BST, 31 July 2021 | Updated: 00:58 BST, 31 July 2021 Viewcomments A massive police operation is underway in Sydney in anticipation of a second weekend of anti-lockdown rallies in Sydney's CBD. New South Wales Police set up an exclusion zone around the city from Saturday morning after intelligence showed another protest was being planned. More than 3,500 people attended the demonstration last week, with officials warning Sydneysiders not to turn up again this weekend. Police expect a protest after monitoring online activity, but believe it will not be in the same numbers as the one that shook Sydney last weekend. Some 60 protesters have been charged and 200 people fined over last Saturday's demonstration. A massive police operation is underway in Sydney in anticipation of a second weekend of anti-lockdown rallies in Sydney's CBD New South Wales Police set up an exclusion zone around the city from Saturday morning after intelligence showed another protest was being planned There are as many as 80 officers at Town Hall station as they look to stop anyone travelling into the city particularly from Sydney's west and south-western suburbs. Another large police presence is stationed at Hyde Park, with dozens more officers combing the CBD checking license plates of cars and what people are doing. Taxi and rideshare companies face fines of up to half a million dollars if they take passengers into Sydney's CBD on Saturday, as NSW Police desperately try to prevent a sequel to last weekend's anti-lockdown protest. Police have issued a prohibition notice to seven taxi and rideshare services banning them from taking passengers to the CBD over the six-hour period. There are as many as 80 officers at Town Hall station as they look to stop anyone travelling into the city particularly from Sydney's west and south-western suburbs Companies who fail to comply with the notice risk a maximum penalty of $500,000, and individuals could be fined up to $100,000, NSW Police say. The large zone stretches from the Bradfield Highway at Milsons Point north of the Harbour Bridge, to the City West Link at Lilyfield, to South Dowling St near Todman Ave at Zetland, and east to New South Head Rd near Ocean Ave at Edgecliff. NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller on Friday warned would-be protesters they would be met by a police force up to 1000 strong. Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility