Sydney New Year’s Eve: City on High Alert as 2,500 Heavily Armed Police Swarm Streets Amid Fears of Another Terror Attack
- More than 2,500 police officers, including riot squad and dog squad, to patrol Sydney’s streets on New Year’s Eve
- Officers will be armed with long-arm firearms in a bid to bolster revellers’ confidence after the Bondi terror attack
- Despite increased security, NSW Police Commissioner says there is no imminent threat to revellers
- Minute’s silence to be held at 11pm to pay tribute to victims of the December 14 attack
Sydney is set to ring in the new year under the watchful eye of a massive police presence, with more than 2,500 officers to patrol the streets on New Year’s Eve. The increased security measures come in the wake of the devastating Bondi terror attack, which left 15 people dead and dozens more injured.
In a bid to reassure the community, NSW Police will have a visible presence in the city, with officers from the riot squad, PolAir, the dog squad, and specialist traffic police all on hand. Some officers will be armed with long-arm firearms, a move that has been welcomed by NSW Premier Chris Minns.
“That is a clear and deliberate message from the police that safety is the number one priority,” Mr Minns said. “You can expect more guns for the police and less guns for members of the community.”
Despite the increased security, NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon has moved to reassure the community that there is no imminent threat to revellers. “The increased police response does not represent any specific threat,” he said. “It is to provide reassurance to the community. We want the community to see police and feel safe when they are in there.”
Meanwhile, transport authorities are urging revellers to plan ahead and be mindful of road closures on major routes in and out of the city. Hundreds more bus, train, and light rail services will be running on New Year’s Eve, with Transport for NSW secretary Josh Murray warning that most people will try to head home or move to a different location around 9:15pm and midnight.
“Please be patient,” Mr Murray said. “Travel patiently and look after the people that you’re travelling with, and remember our staff too.”
A minute’s silence will be held at 11pm to pay tribute to the victims of the December 14 attack, and a menorah will feature on the pylons of the Sydney Harbour Bridge after the City of Sydney made last-minute changes to its tribute. The council had initially planned to illuminate the bridge with an image of a dove and the word “peace” just before 9pm, but made the change after receiving an open letter signed by more than 30 Jewish-Australian creatives calling for a “Jewish-specific symbol” to be used.