NSW: More than 1700 police to patrol Sydney this NYE

AAP General News (Australia)
12-30-2005
NSW: More than 1700 police to patrol Sydney this NYE

SYDNEY, Dec 30 AAP - More than 1,700 police will patrol the streets and beaches of
Sydney this New Year's Eve in a bid to prevent race-fuelled violence and drunken behaviour.

But Deputy NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said there was no intelligence of
a direct threat of violence to any areas in Sydney.

He said a total of 1,760 officers would patrol Circular Quay, The Rocks and beachside
areas including Manly, Bondi and Cronulla.

Mr Scipione said the heavy police presence was a result of recent trouble in the lead-up
to Christmas, which included a race riot at North Cronulla beach on December 11 when an
angry mob of 5,000 people chased and attacked people of Middle Eastern appearance.

Mr Scipione said the New Year's Eve police operation would include mounted police,
the dog squad, officers from the marine area command and undercover detectives.

But he stressed the police were not there as "anti-fun police" and should be respected
by the community.

"This year we are looking to ensure this is a safe city," Mr Scipione told reporters.

"We ask that the community respect our cops for giving up their time."

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KEYWORD: EVE POLICE

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