Cameras set up in public spaces to catch Victorians breaching restrictions

Mobile surveillance cameras have been set up in parks and public spaces across Victoria to keep an eye on people during lockdown and catch wrongdoers who breach restrictions.

9News understands one unit is based at Victoria Gardens in Prahran, with others also spotted around Stonnington in Melbourne's inner-south.

The surveillance scheme is believed to be a joint initiative between Melbourne councils, Victoria Police and the Federal Government.

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Victoria Police confirmed it was liaising with a number councils to "utilise council-owned mobile CCTV units in public spaces".

"The cameras can help to capture and deter breaches of Chief Health Officer directions as well as other crimes and community safety issues," a Victoria Police statement read.

"For operational reasons we will not be providing commentary on how many of these units are being used or where and when they are positioned."

However, the new surveillance has sparked outrage among the community, with some residents claiming authorities were abusing their newly given power, handed to them through the state of emergency and state of disaster provisions.

Drones were also being used to monitor beaches and large public spaces as part of police aerial patrols.

It comes as five police officers confronted two elderly women sitting on a park bench in Melbourne on Saturday, threatening to arrest them for not showing their identification.

A policeman snatched a mobile phone from one of the women after she started filming the incident.

Police told 9News they were aware of video circulating of the incident, which showed police attempting to obtain ID from two women.

"Generally speaking, it is an offence to not provide your name and details to police when they believe you have either committed or are about to commit an offence," a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.

"As part of their powers, police have the ability to remove items from a person's possession where necessary to effect an arrest."

Police issued 177 fines to people for breaching health directions in the past 24 hours, including 11 for failing to wear a mask, 28 at vehicle checkpoints and 68 for curfew breaches.