Police with Rifles to Patrol 5th Ashes Cricket Test in Sydney After Bondi Shootings

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Enhanced Security Measures at the Ashes Cricket Test in Sydney

Police with long-armed rifles, a rare sight at sporting events in Australia, will be patrolling the final Ashes cricket test in Sydney starting Sunday. This move is part of heightened security measures following the Bondi Beach terror attack in the city.

Uniformed and mounted police, along with public order and riot squad officers, will be present to monitor the sold-out match at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The increased presence comes three weeks after two gunmen killed 15 people and injured many more during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi.

The use of rifles is intended to reassure the public, and New South Wales state Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon emphasized that there is no threat to the community.

“Many people may not be used to seeing police carrying rifles at sporting events, but our objective here is to help the public feel safe and police will be out in force,” he said. “The difference will be in the visibility of long-arms and a stronger presence. Police will otherwise be targeting anti-social and unsafe behavior as usual.”

These security measures are similar to those implemented during the fourth Ashes test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which began on December 26. At that event, specialist police officers were armed with semiautomatic rifles and patrolled around the stadium, a nearby park, and railway station.

Cricket Australia also announced that victims of the Bondi shootings, first responders, and community members will be honored with an on-field tribute on the first day of the match. The tribute will include a guard of honor and a round of applause recognizing the efforts and service of emergency response agencies and community members.

“The incredible acts of bravery . . . at the scene of the Bondi attack were a reminder of the spirit of community and self-sacrifice that unites us as a nation,” said Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg in a statement.

Seven people remain hospitalized following the December 14 attack at Bondi. Six of them are in stable condition, while one is in a critical but stable condition.

Naveed Akram, 24, one of the two accused gunmen, is facing 59 charges over the attack, including 15 counts of murder. Akram was shot by police at the scene and spent days in a coma before being charged. His father, Sajid Akram, 50, was killed by police at the scene.