16 Nov 2011

Police move in on another 'occupy' protest group

12:15 pm on 16 November 2011

Melbourne authorities have become the latest to crack down on demonstrators occupying public spaces in protest against economic inequality.

Police have moved in to enforce compliance notices from Melbourne City Council against a group camped out in the city's Treasury Gardens.

The ABC is reporting that three proteters have been arrested.

It says about 60 police officers were at the scene telling the demonstraters to remove tents and belongings and resistance from protesters has been mostly peaceful.

Police have now left the gardens.

The council says the protesters can stay but they cannot erect any tarpaulins, tents or banners.

The action follows a raid in New York in which police in riot gear shut down the Occupy Wall Street protest site.

Lawyers for the New York protesters obtained a temporary court order giving them permission to remain, but a judge has found the city can legally ban protesters from camping in tents and sleeping bags at the park.

New York mayor Michael Bloomberg says people can return to the park but it remains closed to camping.

The New York protest, which baing on 17 September, has sparked similar protests in numerous cities worldwide, including some in New Zealand.