Specialist police carrying longarm semi-automatic rifles will be deployed at the Melbourne Cricket Ground during the Boxing Day Test as an extra precaution to safeguard the community.
Victoria Police says the move is proactive, based on the current threat environment, and not in response to any specific new threat.
Officers from the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) will be patrolling outside the stadium, including key access points from Birrarung Marr, Jolimont Railway Station, and Yarra Park.
Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said the overt presence is designed to provide reassurance to the public. “This overt presence is about adding another layer of protection to make sure cricket fans feel safe,” he said.
“It’s important to stress this is a proactive, precautionary measure based on the current threat environment and not a specific new threat to this event.”
Victoria Police has been coordinating with Cricket Australia and the Melbourne Cricket Club, both of which support the additional security measures.
CIRT officers, trained to respond to major incidents and emergencies, will patrol around the concourse and approaches to the ground, carrying semi-automatic rifles as part of their standard tactical equipment.
The increased security complements the planned presence of general duties police, the Mounted Branch, and the Public Order Response Team, who will patrol both inside and outside the stadium.
Additional police and protective services officers will also be visible across the Yarra precinct, including Richmond and Jolimont railway stations, with a dedicated licensing and public order operation around nearby licensed venues.
Commissioner Bush acknowledged that the sight of armed officers may seem unusual. “We know it’s unusual to see police with these weapons outside the MCG, but I want to assure everyone this is about greater safety and providing reassurance to the community,” he said.
“These deployments are part of our usual, broader effort which sees police and MCC security working in and outside the ground. Be it at the cricket, or anywhere else people are spending the summer, Victoria Police is here for all Victorians,” he added.
“As a modern, forward-thinking police force, we should always be looking for new and different ways to be there for our communities.”
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