Terrorist groups may seek to cause harm to the community and the economy as a whole by attacking business, crowded places, critical infrastructure, or transport networks.
The NSW Police Force Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Command, Protection Programs Unit, is responsible for the delivery of counter terrorism protective security strategies. The Protections Programs Unit engages with owners and operators of crowded places and critical infrastructure to help prepare for, prevent, respond and recover from an act of terrorism. The Protection Programs Unit encourages the flow of information between the private sector and Police on a wide variety of terrorism related issues.
Crowded places
Crowded places are locations which are easily accessible by large numbers of people on a predictable basis. Crowded places such as stadiums, shopping centres, pedestrian malls and major events will continue to be attractive targets for terrorists.
Australia's Strategy for Protecting Crowded Places from Terrorism aims to protect the lives of people working in, using and visiting crowded places. The success of this strategy rests on strong and sustainable partnerships between governments and the private sector to better protect crowded places. This strategy includes a suite of supplementary materials that will assist owners and operators to understand and implement protective security measures.
More information on Crowded places
Critical infrastructure
Critical infrastructure provides services that are essential for everyday life such as energy, food, water, transport, communications, health, banking and finance. A disruption to critical infrastructure could have a range of serious implications for business, governments and the community.
A Critical Infrastructure Resilience Strategy is coordinated nationally and implemented by each state. In NSW, the Critical Infrastructure Protection and Resilience Program within NSW is delivered jointly by the NSW Department of Justice (Office for Police) and the NSW Police Force. They work closely with other NSW agencies, and with the owners and operators of critical infrastructure.
NSW critical infrastructure is both publicly and privately owned and managed. Identifying critical infrastructure within NSW is an ongoing process, and is subject to continuous review. Good business practices such as applying risk management techniques to planning processes, conducting regular reviews of risk assessments and plans, as well as developing and reviewing business continuity plans, will assist businesses in mitigating potential risks. More information on Critical Infrastructure
Transport security
Enhanced security procedures have been implemented in and around transport services and Sydney's major transport interchanges.
The NSW Government has made significant commitments to reviewing and improving transport security and has a network of more than 10,000 CCTV cameras on the rail network alone. CCTV cameras monitor the entries and exits of railway stations, help points, railway platforms, stabling yards, some car parks, bus interchanges and other key areas on the railway network. Sydney Buses has CCTV on every bus in the fleet (more than 2000 buses), which can be accessed and shared with the NSW Police Force.
Security initiatives on transport services in NSW include:
- regular patrols of the transport network by the Police Transport Command
- more than 10,000 CCTV cameras on the rail network, which are able to be monitored 24 hours a day
- over 7,000 high intensity lights and 780 customer help points across the rail network
- onboard CCTV and Help Points being rolled out on new trains
- Transport for NSW continues to work closely with the Police Transport Command on managing security across the transport network.
Maritime security
Following the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001, the international community implemented a system to secure the maritime transport sector against the threat of terrorism. The International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, developed by the International Maritime Organization in December 2002, was the result and international obligations requiring port and shipping operators to have approved security plans came into effect on 1 July 2004.
This is supported in Australia by the Maritime Transport Security Act 2003 to implement the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code in Australia that came into effect on 1 July 2004. In 2005 the Act was extended and renamed the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003. The amended Act, and Regulations under it, establishes the legislative basis for also approving security plans for offshore oil and gas facilities.
To further provide security around Sydney Harbour which remains an attractive target for terrorists, the NSW Government has invested in major improvements to the NSW Police Marine Area Command fleet and security and emergency arrangements.