Venues lift anti-terror measures

MAJOR changes are likely at Australian stadiums as authorities rethink security in an attempt to prevent the Manchester atrocity being repeated here.

Officials at some of our most famous stadiums, including the MCG, are considering urgent changes to security arrangements.

In most cases the venues are major landmarks and tourist drawcards in their own right even when not hosting a concert or major sports event.

Adelaide Oval sport and concert goers will face a much stricter security cordon starting with Saturday’s AFL match between Adelaide and Fremantle.

The Stadium Management Authority has encouraged people to arrive 20 minutes earlier than they would normally.

Chief executive Andrew Daniels warned fans the stringent new rules – including that every bag must be searched by a staff member with an electronic wand – would slow down the entry process.

“Please be patient when you get here, because obviously everybody understands why we need to instigate these new procedures,” he said.

Mr Daniels said there would also be more monitoring inside and outside the oval, but would not reveal details for “tactical reasons”.

A similar crackdown was in place for last night’s clash between Port Adelaide and Geelong in Geelong.

The measures are in response to the Manchester terror attack that killed 22 people and injured dozens.

New security measures including a clear bag policy.

Permanent bollards will also be considered at Victorian sports games and concerts.

With soccer giants Brazil and Argentina and music acts such as Ed Sheeran and Ariana Grande due in Melbourne in coming months, major event stakeholders have begun discussing security upgrades.

Operators of the MCG, Rod Laver Arena, AAMI Park, Simonds Stadium and Hisense Arena are considering allowing in only clear plastic bags or small clutch handbags.

NSW police told Network Ten they would look at existing security arrangements and decide whether any additional measures were required ahead of major events such as State of Origin and AFL games at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

SA Assistant Police Commissioner Linda Williams said this week that Adelaide Oval authorities should consider banning backpacks entirely, but Mr Daniels said he hoped such a drastic step would not be required.

Permanent bollards around the oval would likely be installed before the Ashes Test Match in December, but Mr Daniels stressed “unsightly” temporary barriers currently in place offered the same level of protection.

The MCG will consider permanent barriers at strategic positions around the ground after installing temporary barricades at the start of this AFL season.