Airport-style body scanners "will be installed at Melbourne's major sports stadiums in a new bid to thwart terrorism," according to Buttler, Hurley & Hosking of the Melbourne HERALD SUN. The walk-through weapons detectors will be introduced at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Etihad Stadium and AAMI Park "to protect fans from attack." They "could be in place at the MCG in time for the Boxing Day cricket Test." In another new anti-terror measure, fans will be "allowed to carry only clear plastic bags into the stadiums, making additional checks easier for security staff." Acting Deputy Commissioner Ross Guenther, the state's top counter-terrorism officer, said that he believed the public would "welcome the security measures" -- announced just hours after another 140 five-ton concrete bollards were "placed outside several CBD landmarks to prevent vehicle rampages." Guenther: "It is really important we start moving quickly where we can on stadium security, a bit like with the concrete bollards" (HERALD SUN, 6/23).
NOT IMMINENT: In Melbourne, Worrall & Choahan reported similar to airport security, spectators at big sporting events "could have their possessions and bags scanned separately." But despite media reports on Saturday, Victoria Police said that at this stage, the additional security measures were "under consideration and there were no specific changes to announce." Acting Assistant Commissioner Mick Hermans said that there were "no imminent plans to upgrade security at Melbourne's major stadiums." Hermans: "The story in the Herald Sun talked about what could possibly occur in the future, depending upon the security environment and known intelligence." He said that "ramping up security" was not "inevitable" and would depend on the situation. But he added that police were "in touch with venues before every match" (THE AGE, 6/24).
