Four arrested during anti-lockdown protests in Melbourne

There have been tense scenes in Melbourne's south-east, as anti-lockdown protesters clashed with police in the middle of a suburban street.

Four people were arrested when a demonstration in Dandenong turned violent just after 5.30pm last night, involving about 100 people who marched down the street.

Some people could be heard saying they were out walking, getting their daily dose of exercise.

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At one point, officers held up pepper spray, ordering people to move on after a man was tackled.

Some of the protesters appeared to taunt police.

Police say four men were arrested at the George Andrews Reserve, for failing to provide identification.

One of those includes a 28-year-old man who has since been charged with assaulting police.

Nine fines were also issued to those disobeying Victoria's Chief Health Officer's orders.

But those fines could increase, because Victoria Police have said their investigations are ongoing.

The unrest had been building in Dandenong over the past couple of nights but escalated late yesterday.

Police say they will deploy more officers to the area tonight to warn off any further action by these anti-lockdown protesters.

Nearly 20,000 fines have handed out by police in Victoria for COVID-19 breaches during the pandemic, a parliamentary inquiry has been told.

You can  get up-to-date information from the Federal Government's Coronavirus Australia app, available on the App Store, Google Play and the Government's WhatsApp channel.

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