'Different kind of policing' for Sydney on NYE, Premier Chris Minns says
Updated . First published at
One of the largest policing operations in Sydney's history will mobilise tomorrow night with crowds of revellers expected to swarm the city harbour for New Year's Eve celebrations.
Coming two and a half weeks after the Bondi Beach terror attack, Premier Chris Minns said the intention was to reassure people that it would be safe to celebrate the start of a new year.
"Families will see a different type of policing operation this New Year's Eve," Minns told reporters today.
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NSW Premier Chris Minns. 9News
"It's not normally the case that NSW Police officers have longarms, but they will be deployed on Sydney's streets in the run up to New Year's Eve and that is a clear and deliberate message from the police that safety is the number one priority and they will be acutely aware and alert for any threats affecting the people of this state."
He said Sydney was prepared for the usual crowds but conceded he was "worried" about a drop in numbers, urging people to come and celebrate together.
Police Minister Yasmin Catley said officers would be on high alert for troublemakers and ready to crack down on anti-social behaviour.
"Police will be out in numbers and if you are not doing the right thing, if you haven't made good choices, if you are being disruptive, I can assure you that police will be moving you on," she said.
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NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon. 9News
Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the operation would be the "most comprehensive" ever seen for New Year's Eve celebrations.
More than 2000 officers will be on duty in the central metropolitan area, on the ground, on the water, and in the air.
Minns suggested it would mark the beginning of a new style of policing around the state.
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About 2000 police will be deployed in central Sydney. Getty
"NSW Police have spoken to us about training more officers in the use of long arm weapons, as well as tactical changes on the streets of Sydney," he said.
Minns pushed back against the suggestion that more visible weaponry might make Australians less familiar with such spectacle feel less safe.
"You can expect more guns for the police and less guns for members of the community," he said.
The premier admitted he was worried fewer people would attend the public celebrations. Wolter Peeters
"That's been our policy over the last two weeks, and we've put in a whole bunch of legislation to make sure that happens."
He said he believed more families would welcome the change.
"As the police commissioner just said, it's not just about confronting terrorism or crime, it's about making the public feel safe when they're out with their family, in the community," he said.
On a similar note, Minns blasted recent reports of a surge in attacks on Sydney's Islamic community, including on a young girl in a head covering.
"I want to make it clear that any breaches of our racial vilification or hate speech laws apply to everyone," he said.
"Police will throw the book at any examples of Islamophobia in our community.
"And can I just say from a moral perspective, it is disgusting to think that anyone could blame a young person, a young member of our community, a young Islamic girl for the actions of two people in Bondi Junction a couple of weeks ago."
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