Australian police have announced an intensified security operation at the Sydney Cricket Ground ahead of the fifth Ashes Test, scheduled to begin Sunday, in the wake of a deadly attack at Bondi Beach that left 15 people dead.
The December 14 assault, allegedly carried out by a father-and-son duo during a Hanukkah celebration at the iconic beach, was the deadliest mass shooting in Australia in nearly 30 years. The tragedy has heightened concerns about antisemitism and public safety across the nation.
In response, New South Wales authorities are implementing a highly visible police presence for the Ashes finale, held every two years between Australia and England. The measures, covering a venue roughly five kilometers from Bondi Beach, will include riot patrols, officers on horseback, and personnel equipped with rifles.
“The key difference will be in the visibility of armed officers and a significantly stronger presence,” said New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon.
Officials anticipate a full-capacity crowd for the day-one match of the five-game series, which Australia has already secured. “While seeing armed police at sporting events may feel unusual for some, our priority is to ensure the public feels safe,” Lanyon added.
Cricket Australia announced plans to pay tribute to first responders and members of the community who acted heroically during the Bondi attack. The ceremony will include a guard of honour and a round of applause recognizing “emergency services and community members who faced extreme danger.”
The move follows a heavy police deployment in Sydney during New Year celebrations, where around 3,000 officers, some armed, patrolled streets usually crowded with over a million revelers.
In the aftermath of the Bondi attack, several New Year’s events were cancelled, and traditional Christmas festivities at the beach were subdued. Authorities have linked the massacre to inspiration from the Sunni extremist group Islamic State.