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Sam Armytage has lashed out at Victoria Police after footage of two elderly women being threatened with arrest has gone viral.

The footage shows two elderly women sitting on a bench, with police officers surrounding them. 

“On what grounds am I under arrest? This is unlawful,” asked one woman.

She then went on to raise her voice, again questioning why she was under arrest.

A female officer replied: “For failing to provide your name and address”.

The other woman had been recording the encounter until a male officer walked behind her and looked to snatch the device from her hand.

“Excuse me, you have no right to seize my property,” she yelled.

Armytage was quick to point out what she found wrong with the video.

“It is the snatching of the phone,” Armytage said. “What is this, China? You are getting arrested for filming things?

“I guess they were not meant to be sitting there under the rules. Who is making these rules? It is ridiculous.”

Armytage was joined on the panel by Sharri Markson, host of Sky News program Sharri and investigative reporter at The Australian, and former Senator Derryn Hinch.

Hinch said he was on the “cops side”.

“We are all doing it tough down here. If they ask you your name and address, you must provide it. That is the law,” he said.

“I don’t care if you are 17 or 70, by doing what they were doing, and protesting last week, you’re putting not only your own lives at risk, putting my life, and everyone’s lives at risk.”

Victoria Police confirmed to NCA NewsWire they were aware of the vision.

“Victoria Police is aware of vision circulating where police appear to be attempting to obtain identification details of two females,” a spokesperson said.

“Without further details around this incident such as the time, date, location and details of the police officers involved, we are unable to provide further comment.

“Generally speaking, it is an offence to not provide your name and details to police when they believe you have either committed or are about to commit an offence.

“As part of their powers, police have the ability to remove items from a person’s possession where necessary to effect an arrest.”

This article originally appeared on Over60.