Forty arrested in Sydney dawn raid

Police clashed with protesters in Melbourne yesterday, arresting 100 people. Photo / Getty Images

Forty people have been arrested during what protesters say was a violent dawn police raid on the Occupy Sydney site in the CBD.

Police, including riot squad officers, raided the site at Martin Place shortly before 5am (AEDT) on Sunday and cleared the area of more than 100 protesters.

Activists said police bashed and manhandled protesters who refused to leave the camp and confiscated their possessions amid violent scenes.

Forty people were arrested and 29 of those were issued with infringement notices for breaching a local government act, police said in a statement.

Four people are expected to be charged with assaulting police and seven were issued filed court attendance notices for breaching a local government act.

Occupy Sydney spokesman Mark Goudkamp condemned what he said was excessive police force in breaking up the camp.

``I saw bloody noses, I saw police throwing punches and I myself was put into a wrist lock like I have never experienced before - I was screaming in pain,'' Mr Goudkamp told AAP.

``Police were clearly on a mission to get us out of there and they used whatever force they decided was necessary.''

The raid came after two protesters were charged with assaulting police and resisting arrest on Saturday night.

A police officer was treated for lacerations to his head after he was allegedly struck with a metal torch.

Hundreds of protesters have been gathered at Martin Place over the last week as part of a global campaign against capitalist greed.

On Friday, there were violent scenes at the Occupy Melbourne site, with 100 people arrested as they were forcefully evicted from their City Square campsite.

NSW police said the protesters only had approval to protest for two hours on October 15 and said activists had repeatedly ignored police directions to move on.

``The NSW police force this week attempted to negotiate a peaceful solution to the standoff, but were rebuffed,'' a statement said.

"While the NSW police respect the right for people to protest and free speech, police maintain the protest breached City of Sydney regulations.''

Mr Goudkamp said he was disappointed the Sydney protest had ended so badly, but said the movement will continue.

"We were there for a over a week, which is cause for celebration,'' he said. ``And the movement is still very much alive, and will continue, even if it is in another form.''

However, there are no immediate plans to return to Martin Place.

"Police have made it clear they will do the exact same thing again if we return,'' Mr Goudkamp said.

Instead, protesters will meet at University of Technology Sydney (UTS) at 5pm (AEDT) on Sunday to discuss what they will do next.

- AAP