New South Wales Police will deploy officers armed with long-arm rifles as part of a heightened security presence at the Ashes cricket series in Sydney this weekend.
The move follows increased security protocols introduced after the December 14 attack at Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives. Since then, NSW Police have carried such weapons at several major events in Sydney.
A sell-out crowd is anticipated at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Sunday, where uniformed officers, mounted police, and riot squad personnel will conduct highly visible patrols. Members of the Public Order and Riot Squad will be equipped with long-arm rifles.
Similar bolstered security measures, including specialist officers carrying long-arm firearms, have been in place at recent sporting events nationwide, such as the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the enhanced measures were designed to reassure the public.
“Many people may not be accustomed to seeing police with rifles at sporting events, but our priority is to ensure attendees feel safe,” Commissioner Lanyon said in a statement.
“There will be greater visibility of long-arm weapons and a stronger overall police presence. Otherwise, officers will continue to address antisocial and unsafe behaviour as normal.”
Assistant Commissioner Leane McCusker stressed that the operation was precautionary and not linked to any specific intelligence.
“I want to make clear that there is no active or imminent threat,” she said.
“All Public Order and Riot Squad officers are fully trained in the use of rifles and have been for some time; this reflects no recent change in capability or equipment.”
