Several police stations across Melbourne will be temporarily shut this evening, as Victoria Police throws its resources behind a tense A-League Grand Final clash.
Tensions are expected to run high between rivals Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City, with authorities determined to avoid a repeat of past fan violence.
Victoria Police confirmed a “small number of police station reception counters” will be impacted, but said there is a 24-hour station within less than 20 minutes of each affected station.
Reception counters at Camberwell, Forest Hill, Oakleigh, Boronia and Rowville police stations will all be closed on Saturday.
Croydon, Belgrave, Mooroolbark and Wallan police station reception counters will be closed for a number of hours.
Stations will resume their normal opening hours on Sunday.
“Whenever police are planning for a large response to an event or an emergency incident, service delivery to the community is always factored into the planning,” a police spokesperson said.
“In the affected areas, there will still be around-the-clock patrols to prevent, detect, and respond to crime.
“As always, if there is an emergency we urge the community to call Triple Zero for urgent assistance.”
It comes as police do their best to bolster security in and around the sell-out AAMI Park blockbuster.
As of 5.30pm Saturday, dozens of police and barricades lined Swan Street as fans prepared to march to the stadium.
Close to 30,000 fans are expected to pack out the Melbourne venue tonight , where both clubs have urged fans to show passion, not violence.
Hundreds of police officers are expected to be deployed around the arena, as well as outside licensed venues and public transport hubs surrounding the grounds.
