Victoria police will have the power to conduct warrant-less pat-downs, search cars and move people on in Melbourne’s CBD for six months, in a move human rights and legal groups have described as a “vast overreach”.

Police on Tuesday declared the CBD, Docklands, Southbank, the sporting and entertainment precinct and parts of East Melbourne and South Melbourne as a “designated area” from Sunday, until 29 May 2026.

This means police and protective service officers (PSOs) have the ability to randomly stop and search anyone without a warrant or reasonable grounds.

The searches, which are allowed under the Control of Weapons Act, can be conducted using an electronic wand or a pat-down, and people may be asked to take off items of outer clothing such as headwear, scarves or jackets and to remo

See Full Page