Police watchdog calls for witnesses to Hares and Hyenas raid

IBAC, Victoria’s independent police oversight body, is appealing to anyone who may have witnessed an incident near Hares & Hyenas Bookshop on Johnston Street Fitzroy shortly after 2am on Saturday 11 May 2019 to contact them.

Victorian police stormed into the residential apartment attached to the bookshop and in the commotion that followed one of the resident’s ended up with a significant injuries. It was revealed that police had mistaken a person entering the premises as a person they had previously been chasing.

THe bookshop is one of Melbourne’s best known LGBTI focussed business.

The Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption commission announced it would investigate the incident.

IBAC CEO Alistair Maclean said IBAC’s investigation of the incident, Operation Lynd, is an active investigation and IBAC was keen to speak to any witnesses.

“CCTV footage of the vicinity shows there were a number of people in the area at the time of the incident, however our efforts to contact these potential witnesses have been unsuccessful,” Maclean said.

“We’re asking any member of the public who witnessed the incident to contact IBAC to assist with our investigation.”

IBAC performs a critical role in independently oversighting Victoria Police to ensure officers are accountable and conduct themselves in a way consistent with the community’s expectations.

Anyone with information related to this investigation may contact IBAC at [email protected] or 0455 287 115.

OIP Staff