Police in Melbourne are locked in a tense standoff with a man perched atop a 120-metre tower of the Bolte Bridge, after he allegedly painted a giant Pam the Bird tag on the structure. Emergency services were called to the bridge at around 3am on Tuesday following reports that a graffiti artist had climbed one of the bridge's pillars and abseiled down to paint the tag.
Graffiti artist abseils down bridge pillar
According to police, the man abseiled down the pillar and spray-painted a large Pam the Bird tag, a symbol that has appeared illegally on Melbourne landmarks for years. The tag is often found in difficult-to-reach places, including heritage-listed buildings. Officers have established an exclusion zone around the bridge, and negotiations are ongoing to bring the man down safely.
Pam the Bird: A notorious Melbourne graffiti tag
The Pam the Bird tag has been a recurring feature of Melbourne's street art scene, though authorities consider it vandalism. The tag has appeared on numerous high-profile sites, including the West Gate Bridge and the Royal Exhibition Building. The artist behind the tag has never been officially identified, but the current standoff suggests a possible claim of responsibility.
Ongoing police operation
Police have not confirmed the man's identity or whether he is the same individual responsible for previous Pam the Bird tags. A police spokesperson said: "We are working to resolve this incident peacefully and ensure the safety of everyone involved." Traffic disruptions are expected on the Bolte Bridge as the operation continues.
