Armed police start patrols in Sydney after Bondi Beach attack

Heavily-armed police officers have begun patrolling Sydney's streets as part of heightened security measures introduced following last year's deadly shooting at Bondi Beach. The new Armed Response Command (ARC) unit will see specially trained officers carrying long-arm rifles in busy tourist areas, an unfamiliar sight for most residents. New South Wales police said the officers will also patrol major events such as sports matches and places of worship to prevent, deter and rapidly respond to serious threats, including active armed offender incidents. Fifteen people, including a 10-year-old girl, were killed in December when two gunmen opened fire on an event marking the Jewish festival of Hanukkah at the popular beach. The attack was Australia's worst mass shooting in almost three decades and prompted sweeping gun law reforms and a crackdown on hate speech. ARC is designed to be highly visible across Sydney, driving specialist vehicles and carrying rifles, according to a New South Wales police statement. Detective Superintendent Andrew Evans said the unit's role is built on the simple principle of preserving life. Reactions among residents have been mixed. One told ABC News the sight of armed police was unnerving, saying the officers were everywhere and the guns were huge. Another woman said seeing police with weapons made her feel safe. The shooting on 14 December put significant pressure on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government, with calls for immediate action on antisemitism. Jewish communities have welcomed the new police operation, which will eventually consist of 250 officers, but others have called for safeguards to protect human rights. Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said no Australian wants to see officers with military weapons on the streets, but the sight of body bags is far worse. Amnesty International Australia, however, expressed concern about the militarisation of policing and asked the state government for assurances that ARC will not be used to suppress peaceful protests. The organisation's Andrew Witheford said any expansion of police powers must be accompanied by clear, publicly accessible rules, robust independent oversight and accountability. The New South Wales administration defended the measures. Police Minister Yasmin Catley told the ABC that the world had changed forever across the country and that things would never be the same again. One of the alleged gunmen, Naveed Akram, has been charged with 78 offences, including 15 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. His father, Sajid Akram, 50, who was also armed and shot at the crowd, was killed by police at the scene.