Gunfire to ring out at shopping centres

THE noise of gunfire will erupt around two of the Gold Coast’s most popular shopping centres this week.

The Australia Defence Force and the Queensland Police Services’ specialist officers are holding a two-day security training exercise in preparations for the Commonwealth Games at Pacific Fair this morning and at Marina Mirage tomorrow morning.

Police say the public may see or hear “military watercraft and vehicles, tactical equipment and soldiers carrying weapons and possibly discharging blank/paint training ammunition”.

“Police would like to reassure the community that there is no need to be alarmed should you hear or observe these activities, it is all part of the training exercise.,” QPS said in a statement. The locations have been chosen for their training value and not in response to any threat. Currently, there is no known specific threat to Queensland, or the Commonwealth Games however, the current National Terrorism Threat Level for Australia remains at Probable.”