NSW cops line FIFTY cars up along Sydney streets to stop anti-lockdown ...

NSW cops line FIFTY cars up along Sydney streets to stop anti-lockdown ...
NSW cops line FIFTY cars up along Sydney streets to stop anti-lockdown ...

Up to 1,000 police officers have swarmed Sydney and setup a network of roadblocks around the city in a massive show of force - despite no turnout for an anti-lockdown protest. 

Lines of patrol cars stretching hundreds of metres were pictured parked on Moore Park Road near the Sydney Cricket Ground as early as 7am on Saturday as police prepared for the operation. 

A wide exclusion zone was established stretching from Lilyfield in the west, to Milson Point in the north, Edgecliff in the east and Zetland in the south as police stopped anyone entering the city in an effort to avoid a repeat of last weekend's wild protest. 

Police setup roadblocks and stopped any traffic entering the city to prevent a repeat of last weekend protest (pictured is the  Princes Highway blocked at King St, Newtown)

Police setup roadblocks and stopped any traffic entering the city to prevent a repeat of last weekend protest (pictured is the  Princes Highway blocked at King St, Newtown) 

The police operation follows an announcement police would be cracking down on lockdown rule-breakers from Friday with fines lifted to $500 for not wearing a mask and restriction tightened further for eight LGAs in south-west and Western Sydney. 

The huge police presence sparked a flurry of mixed comments online with many commending the police effort but some saying it was over-the-top. 

'There's no protest I don't know what they think they are ready for,' one person said. 

'Wow! I agree with the lockdown and agree with using extra measures, but this seems a bit extreme,' another said. 

'Who pays for this?' Added a third. 

'Good on them, backing the police all the way! All the troublemakers from last weekend are back in hiding,' argued a fourth. 

A line of patrol cars stretching hundreds of metres near the SCG  ready for Saturday's police operation (pictured)

A line of patrol cars stretching hundreds of metres near the SCG  ready for Saturday's police operation (pictured)  

Sydneysiders out for their exercise in Newtown (pictured) by stunned by the show of force with officers stationed on the street and stopping traffic on one of the major roads into the city

Sydneysiders out for their exercise in Newtown (pictured) by stunned by the show of force with officers stationed on the street and stopping traffic on one of the major roads into the city 

Police check the identification of every passenger in vehicles entering Newtown as part of a crackdown to prevent another anti lockdown protest in Sydney on Saturday (pictured)

Police check the identification of every passenger in vehicles entering Newtown as part of a crackdown to prevent another anti lockdown protest in Sydney on Saturday (pictured) 

Police patrol Victoria Park at Glebe as part of a major police operation to crackdown on a planned anti lockdown protest (pictured)

Police patrol Victoria Park at Glebe as part of a major police operation to crackdown on a planned anti lockdown protest (pictured) 

Patrol cars Moore Park

Patrol cars Moore Park

Early on Saturday morning scores of police cars were seen parked on the street at Moore Park in the city's east (pictured) 

More than 3,500 people attended the demonstration last week, with officials warning Sydneysiders not to turn up again in the lead up to this weekend. 

Police established a command centre at Hyde Park in the centre of the city to direct operations - with foot patrols, mounted police officers and patrol cars flooding the CBD. 

Authorities had expected a protest after monitoring online activity, but knew the numbers would not be anywhere near as big as the one that shook Sydney on Saturday seven days ago.

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 (pictured)

A massive police operation is underway in Sydney in anticipation of a second weekend of anti-lockdown rallies in Sydney's CBD (pictured) 

Police expect a protest after monitoring online activity, but believe it will not be in the same numbers as the one that shook Sydney on Saturday seven days ago

 Police expect a protest after monitoring online activity, but believe it will not be in the same numbers as the one that shook Sydney on Saturday seven days ago

Police have set up checkpoints entering area of Sydney as they look to stop people flocking to the city for another protest

Police have set up checkpoints entering area of Sydney as they look to stop people flocking to the city for another protest

New South Wales Police set up an exclusion zone around the city from Saturday morning after intelligence showed another protest was being planned

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

More than 3,500 people attended the demonstration last week, with officials warning Sydneysiders not to turn up again this weekend 

There were 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 was stationed at Hyde Park, with dozens more officers combing the CBD checking license plates of cars and what people are doing. 

The state's deputy commissioner Mal Lanyon told the Today show: 'Quite simply, the message is to stay at home'.

'The intent of the public health order is very clear, and that is to restrict movement and gathering to stop the spread of this virus.

'There will be a significant police presence today, which will ensure compliance with the public health orders.

'If you wish to come into town for the purpose of a protest, we will take appropriate action. Whether that's by infringement notice or you may be arrested and charged, don't come into town for that purpose.' 

He added in the states Saturday morning coronavirus press conference that enforcement were ready for anyone thinking of congregating in Sydney to protest. 

A roadblock in Newton on Saturday as authorities established an exclusion zone around the city (pictured)

A roadblock in Newton on Saturday as authorities established an exclusion zone around the city (pictured) 

A police command centre was run from Hyde Park in the CBD (pictured)

A police command centre was run from Hyde Park in the CBD (pictured) 

'I began by sending one final message to anyone who is attending to go into the city to engage in protest liberty. Do not do it,' he said. 

'Our policing operation has been in place since early this morning up to 1000 police officers including a range of specialist resources on the ground already so don't go into the city to protest. 

Strikeforce season investigators have been in continuing investigations into the events of last week's protests with 85 people charged to this date. Over 300 infringement notices have been issued and last night a 49-year-old man from the Central Coast was charged with criminal offences relating to the incitement of last week's protest online. 

Officers among the thousand deployed across the city to deter any anti-lockdown protest

Officers among the thousand deployed across the city to deter any anti-lockdown protest 

A police road block on the Bradfield Highway to check cars as they approach the Harbour Bridge in the suburb of Artarmon on July 31 (pictured)

A police road block on the

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