Police with assault rifles begin Sydney patrols in wake of Bondi attack

New South Wales police have deployed a new Armed Response Command unit with military assault rifles for patrols in Sydney, an Australian-first measure in response to the December 2025 Bondi Beach attack that killed 15 people. The A$94 million unit comprises 250 officers. Amnesty International raised concerns about militarisation of policing.

New South Wales police have launched a new Armed Response Command unit armed with military assault rifles to patrol Sydney streets, an Australian-first measure established in response to the Bondi Beach attack in December 2025. The A$94 million ($66.08 million) unit comprises 250 police officers who will deploy at major events, crowded public spaces, sporting venues, and places of worship for 'high visibility' patrols. The move follows an attack in which two men opened fire on a Jewish celebration at Bondi Beach, killing 15 people in an antisemitic attack motivated by Islamic State ideology. The unit's commander, Detective Superintendent Andrew Evans, said the Bondi events demonstrated the consequences of armed offenders attacking innocent people. Amnesty International Australia raised concerns about the increasing militarisation of policing and safeguards for human rights.