Clashing protesters costing Vic taxpayers

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews says violent clashes between opposing protest groups is wasting Victorian taxpayers' money and diverting police from important work.

A heavy police presence was noticeable on Saturday as two opposing groups clashed for the seventh time in eight months as protesters from No Room For Racism and the United Patriots Front broke police lines.

Mr Andrews is tired of seeing police diverted from other important work to keep the community safe during "violent and ugly" protests.

"I've always supported a person's right to air their views but the only form of legitimate protest is a peaceful protest," Mr Andrews told reporters on Sunday.

"No one has the right to be violent or to be bigot - it's as simple as that."

He said resources could be better utilised protecting the community in other ways.