More than 2,500 police officers, some carrying long-arm weapons, will be out in force at New Year’s Eve celebrations in Sydney in a bid to bolster revellers’ confidence in the wake of the Bondi terror attack.<\/p>\n
Tensions have been high since the December 14 attack, in which 15 people died and dozens more were injured.<\/p>\n
Despite this, one million revellers are expected to pack into harbourside vantage spots for Sydney’s fireworks display, which will take place at 9pm and at midnight.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Chris Minns says security is the “number one priority”. (AAP: Dan Himbrechts)<\/p>\n
NSW Police said thousands of officers in uniform and plain clothes would conduct patrols in the Sydney metropolitan area on New Year’s Eve, with some officers carrying long-arm firearms.<\/p>\n
General duties officers across NSW will be bolstered by resources from the riot squad, PolAir, the dog squad and specialist traffic and water police officers.<\/p>\n
NSW Premier Chris Minns said the measures, including the use of long-arm weapons, were in place to help people feel safe.<\/p>\n
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There has been an increased police presence at events and locations across Sydney in the wake of the Bondi attack. (ABC News: Che Chorley)<\/p>\n
“That is a clear and deliberate message from the police that safety is the number one priority,” he said.<\/p>\n
“You can expect more guns for the police and less guns for members of the community.”<\/p>\n
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said there was no imminent threat to revellers, but police were poised to act if required.<\/p>\n
“[The increased police response] does not represent any specific threat,” he said.<\/p>\n
“It is to provide reassurance to the community. We want the community to see police and feel safe when they are in there.”<\/p>\n
Bolstered bus and train services<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, transport authorities said hundreds more bus, train and light rail services would be running on New Year’s Eve to ferry people in and out of the city, an estimated 40 per cent more than on the busiest weekday.<\/p>\n
Revellers are being urged to plan ahead and be mindful of road closures on major routes in and out of the city.<\/p>\n
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Some officers will carry long-arm firearms during patrols across Sydney this New Year’s Eve. (Supplied: City of Sydney\u00a0)<\/p>\n
“Despite all the extra services at 9:15pm and about quarter past midnight, most people will try and head home or move to a different location. So please be patient,” Transport for NSW secretary Josh Murray said.<\/p>\n
“That includes road closures from 4am, public transport changes from the middle of the afternoon, and then you may see some changes to the inner-city train stations later in the evening.<\/p>\n
“Travel patiently and look after the people that you’re travelling with, and remember our staff too.”<\/p>\n
Events to honour victims<\/p>\n
There will be a number of opportunities for revellers to pay tribute to those affected by the December 14 attack, with a minute’s silence taking place at 11pm ahead of the Sydney harbour fireworks.<\/p>\n
A menorah will now feature on the pylons of the Sydney Harbour Bridge at the same time after the City of Sydney made last-minute changes to its tribute.<\/p>\n