Thousands of police deployed to ensure safe New Year celebrations in Victoria, Australia

FILE PHOTO: Police officers patrol near beachgoers on Christmas Day at Bondi Beach in Sydney on December 25, 2025. Thousands of general duty officers and specialist assets from the mounted branch, dog squad, water police, air wing and critical incident response team (CIRT) will work overnight across the state of Victoria to ensure that New Year celebrations are safe. - AFP

MELBOURNE: Thousands of police officers have been deployed across the south-east Australian state of Victoria to ensure public safety during New Year celebrations.

Victoria Police said that thousands of general duty officers and specialist assets from the mounted branch, dog squad, water police, air wing and critical incident response team (CIRT) will work overnight on Wednesday (Dec 31) to ensure that New Year celebrations are safe.