Today's Edition
SYDNEY (DPA)
Australian authorities on Tuesday said there would be an increased police presence in Sydney on New Year's Eve, less than three weeks after 15 people were killed in the Bondi terror attack.
More than 2,500 officers will be on high-visibility patrols in Sydney on Wednesday, New South Wales (NSW) Police said in a statement. NSW Premier Chris Minns said that Wednesday would see the "largest deployment of police for a New Year's Eve celebration ever."
The measures are in place to help people feel safe, Minns said in a press conference. "That is a clear and deliberate message from the police that safety is the number one priority."
"I know that there will be a degree of trepidation after the horrible events of December 14 ... we want the people of this state to show defiance to these evil terrorists by spending some time on the most beautiful harbour, in the most beautiful city in the world tomorrow night."
NSW Police said in a statement that officers "will use all available resources to ensure the community can ring in the New Year in a safe way."
The statement stressed that the "increased police presence is to reassure the community that officers are there to assist, and not because of any greater, active, ongoing or imminent threat."
Authorities expect tens of thousands of people to gather on the Sydney Harbour foreshore for the world-famous New Year's Eve fireworks.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said there would be "a noticeable enhanced" police presence "including uniformed and specialist police."
A minute of silence will be taking place at 11 pm (1200 GMT) ahead of the midnight fireworks at Sydney Harbour.
