Police blanket Melb against Apex gang

Police will be out in force in the Melbourne CBD in an effort to quash any violence following recent riots.

Operation Concord was launched on Thursday and will run until Monday, with uniformed and undercover officers hitting the streets.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the "highly visible" operation was to "deter and disrupt poor behaviour."

The operation is in response to the violent riot that started in Federation Square during last Saturday's Moomba celebrations.

Victoria Police was caught out with not enough officers in the CBD when about 150 youths stole phones, taunted police and terrorised the public.

Many of the brawlers are thought to be a part of the Apex gang, a loose affiliation of males from a range of cultural backgrounds.

Investigators are now trawling though CCTV footage of the riot and Premier Daniel Andrews has declared his government will give police what they need to "smash these gangs".