More police will patrol Sydney’s Royal Easter Show as security is tightened at the annual family event after a teenager was stabbed to death.
The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW has announced a series of measures to keep customers safe after one of its 17-year-old workers was killed in the crowded carnival section of the show on Monday night.
NSW Police say the ride attendant was caught up in a fight between two young groups, a second boy was stabbed in the leg and a 15-year-old boy was arrested and charged with carrying a knife, but did not was not charged with the boy’s death. .
The rides were closed on Tuesday as police said the area was a crime scene.
The RAS issued a statement saying all rides would be open on Wednesday but the main carnival area would close at 9:30 p.m.
RAS NSW CEO Murray Wilton said there would also be a significant additional NSW Police presence from the afternoon.
There will also be additional lighting in the main carnival area, more bag checks and increased visibility for metal detectors.
“We have closed the entrance gates to the carnival and people will enter through the limbs (gates),” he told the Nine Network.
“We will have a full visual for everyone entering the Easter Lounge,” he said.
The heightened security measures were taken after consultation with the police after Monday night’s murder – in addition to new security measures already in place this year.
“We have some changes in place for this year without a doubt.
“Obviously it wasn’t enough. That’s why we talked about it yesterday,” he said.
“It’s the biggest event in the country, it’s a family event and it’s not acceptable for people to carry knives.”
Police are looking for more suspects for the targeted attack.
“We believe there is someone we have yet to identify who is responsible for the knife attack,” Superintendent Danielle Emerton said Tuesday.
“It can be one person, it can be several people.”
Strike Force Calle was created to investigate.
The RAS expects 850,000 people to attend the show, which ends on April 19.
Australian Associated Press
