Overview
- NSW Police will deploy uniformed, mounted and Public Order and Riot Squad officers at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday, with the riot squad carrying long‑arm rifles.
- Commissioner Mal Lanyon said patrons should expect a larger, more visible presence focused on public reassurance and routine crowd safety duties.
- A capacity crowd of about 48,000 is expected for the fifth Ashes Test at the SCG, prompting the high‑visibility operation.
- Cricket Australia will honour Bondi first responders and community helpers before play with a guard of honour and a round of applause.
- Similar rifle deployments were used at the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne and during Sydney’s New Year’s Eve policing, as legal and medical fallout from the Bondi attack continues with charges against Naveed Akram and several victims still hospitalised.