Armed police patrols begin in Sydney after Bondi Beach attack

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 2 Nov, 06:19 · Archive

Heavily armed police officers have started patrolling Sydney's streets following last year's deadly shooting at Bondi Beach.

Heavily armed police officers carrying rifles have begun patrolling Sydney's streets as part of heightened security measures. The Armed Response Command (ARC) started operations on Sunday and will deploy specially trained officers across tourist hotspots, sporting venues, major events and places of worship in New South Wales.

The operation was introduced following the 14 December attack at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, when two gunmen opened fire and killed 15 people, including a 10-year-old girl. The massacre was Australia's deadliest mass shooting in almost three decades. New South Wales police say the officers will work to 'prevent, deter and rapidly respond to serious threats, including active armed offender incidents'.

The state government has committed A$94.3m to establish the unit, which will eventually comprise 250 officers and 28 civilian staff. Officers will carry Australian Combat Assault Rifles and travel in specially equipped vehicles. Their training programme included rifle proficiency, responses to armed offenders, advanced driving and tactical medical care.

Jewish communities have welcomed the new police operation. However, some residents and human rights groups have raised concerns, with calls for safeguards to protect human rights. Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said the operation was necessary despite discomfort with armed officers on streets, stating that 'the sight of body bags is far worse'.

How it is being reported

• Sydney deploys heavily armed police unit after Bondi attackSydney deploys heavily armed police unit after Bondi attackAl Jazeera · 2 Nov, 08:44
• Sydney deploys armed police with assault rifles in security crackdown after Bondi massacreAustralia’s first permanent specialist armed response unit has begun patrolling crowded public spaces, prompting concerns from human rights groupsIndependent World · 2 Nov, 05:59
• Armed police start patrols in Sydney after Bondi Beach attackThe new police unit is a security measure in response to last year's deadly shooting attack at a Hanukkah festival.BBC World · 1 Nov, 17:56

In this story: Sydney · Bondi Beach · New South Wales · Armed Response Command · Executive Council of Australian Jewry · Australia

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log