Police presence ramped up at MCG for Boxing Day Test following Bondi terror attack

Police carrying longarm semi-automatic rifles will be deployed to the MCG for the Boxing Day Test.

Officers from Victoria Police’s Critical Incident Response Team will be patrolling outside the ground and in surrounding areas such as Birrarung Marr, Jolimont Railway Station and Yarra Park later this week.

Victoria Police said security would be ramped up based on “the current threat environment and not a specific new threat”.

The increased police presence would be “highly visible across all five scheduled days of play”.

“Victoria Police has been working with Cricket Australia and the Melbourne Cricket Club which are both supportive,” it said.

The increased presence is additional to the general duties police, Mounted Branch and the Public Order Response Team who were already planned be roaming inside and outside the ground.

Extra police and Public Safety Officers will also be stationed around the Yarra precinct including Richmond and Jolimont railway stations.

Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush acknowledged it may be unusual for people to see such heavily armed police but that it was an additional safeguard for the community.

“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.

“As a modern, forward-thinking police force we should always be looking for new and different ways to be there for our communities.”

A memorial held at Bondi on Sunday night marking a week since the tragedy was watched over by a heavy police presence including snipers on rooftops and police boats in the waters.

Police in South Australia also ramped up their presence and security measures at Adelaide Oval during the Third Ashes Test this past week following the terror attack.