More cops at footy finals, gathering spots

There will be an extra tinge of blue in the stands at football finals this weekend as police step up patrols of major events in NSW.

Operation Hammerhead, which was launched this week to coincide with pre-dawn counter-terrorism raids across Sydney, will see 220 cops making their presence felt.

"It will be an ongoing operation for as long as it is needed," NSW police commissioner Andrew Scipione said.

"We will continue to run (it) until we feel that it's not necessary any longer."

The additional police are being mobilised to safeguard the community and Mr Scipione and NSW Premier Mike Baird urged people to carry on their lives as usual.

"In simple terms there will be more police in more places that will give more assurance to the community overall," Mr Baird said.

Mr Scipione said terrorists were trying to disrupt people's lives, and Operation Hammerhead had been launched to reassure the community.

Two NRL finals will be held at Allianz Stadium on the weekend and the Sydney Swans will take on North Melbourne at ANZ on Friday night.