A record police security footprint will roll out at the Sydney Cricket Ground’s Ashes opener on Sunday, with officers carrying visible long-arm weapons while mounted units patrol.
NSW Police confirmed additional security measures for the SCG on Sunday, preparing for a capacity crowd ahead of the Ashes Test.
Authorities said they will work alongside Events NSW, Cricket NSW and SCG Security to coordinate a heightened police presence.
Uniformed officers and Mounted Police will conduct high-visibility patrols around the stadium to maintain safety and reassure attendees.
Public Order and Riot Squad officers will also be present carrying visible long-arm rifles.
Assistant Commissioner Leanne McCusker APM, Commander of Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics, said the rifles are not linked to a specific or emerging threat.
“I want to emphasise that there is not any active or imminent threat,” Assistant Commissioner McCusker said.
“All PORS officers are rifle trained and have been for some time, this does not reflect any recent change in capability or weaponry.”
Meanwhile, NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the force recognises visible rifles may be unfamiliar at sporting events but stressed the objective is public reassurance.
“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,” Commissioner Lanyon said.
“The difference will be in the visibility of long-arms and a stronger presence, while general policing of antisocial behaviour will continue as usual,” he said.
The deployment follows NSW Police’s largest New Year’s Eve security operation, which saw more than 2,500 officers patrol the Sydney metropolitan region on Wednesday night.
Officers monitored the city across land, water and air, supported by plain-clothes units and uniformed patrol teams.
The expanded security measures come three weeks after the Bondi terror attack on December 14, which occurred during a Hanukkah celebration, killing 15 people and injuring more than 40.
NSW Police reiterated that the long-arm visibility strategy is part of broader crowd reassurance measures introduced after the Bondi massacre, not a response to imminent danger.
Commissioner Lanyon has also previously highlighted that visible firearm units at major crowd events are intended to make communities feel protected, not alarmed.