Police investigate after Age photographer capsicum-sprayed during Melbourne protest

The conduct of some Victorian police officers is being investigated after a newspaper photographer was pepper sprayed and video was published online showing a woman being pushed to the ground and sprayed by an officer at a violent anti-lockdown protest in Melbourne at the weekend. Key points: Victoria Police is investigating after a media photographer was capsicum-sprayed The Age newspaper says it will lodge a formal complaint Police say it can be difficult to distinguish between protesters and media in a hostile situation More than 230 people were arrested and 10 police officers injured after as many as 700 protestors converged on the streets of Richmond in Melbourne's inner-east. Loading Instagram content Victoria Police said it was "aware of an incident where a media photographer was sprayed with OC foam while covering Saturday's protest". The statement said Saturday's protest "was a highly dynamic and hostile situation and at times it can be difficult to distinguish between protesters and media representatives". A statement said police "anticipated a highly volatile situation on the weekend and had strongly urged people to refrain from participating in protest activity".