Armed Response Command to patrol Sydney after Bondi Beach terror attack
Synopsis
Eight months after the Bondi Beach mass shooting killed 15 people at a Jewish holiday gathering, NSW is putting combat-rifle-equipped officers on Sydney's streets. The 250-strong Armed Response Command — a direct policy consequence of the December 2025 attack — will patrol places of worship and major events as its accused perpetrator faces 59 charges including murder and a terrorist act.
Key Takeaways
NSW's new Armed Response Command (ARC) will begin patrolling Sydney in the coming weeks, becoming fully operational after completing realistic environment training.
The 250-officer unit is equipped with combat assault rifles and 24 purpose-built vehicles , supported by a specialised operations centre.
The ARC was established following the Bondi Beach terror attack on 14 December 2025 , in which 15 people were killed at a Jewish holiday celebration.
Officers will patrol places of worship , major events , and other high-risk areas across Sydney.
Accused attacker Naveed Akram , 24 , faces 59 charges including 15 counts of murder and one count of a terrorist act ; his case is ongoing.
Australia's New South Wales (NSW) government on Thursday, 8 October 2026 announced that heavily armed officers from the newly established Armed Response Command (ARC) will begin patrolling Sydney over the coming weeks, as the unit's training moves into realistic operational environments. The deployment marks a significant escalation in visible counter-terrorism policing in one of Australia's most visited cities.
What the Armed Response Command Is
The ARC was created as a permanent, dedicated unit by the NSW state government in direct response to the Bondi Beach terror attack of 14 December 2025, in which 15 people were fatally shot at a Jewish holiday celebration at the iconic eastern Sydney beach. The unit comprises 250 officers, is equipped with combat assault rifles and 24 purpose-built vehicles, and will be supported by a specialised operations centre.
Where Officers Will Be Deployed
NSW Premier Chris Minns, Police and Counter-terrorism Minister Yasmin Catley, and Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon jointly announced in a statement that ARC officers will patrol high-risk locations — including places of worship and major public events — and will be tasked with rapidly responding to emerging threats across the city.
'Keeping the people of New South Wales safe is our number one priority. That means making sure our police have the people, training and equipment they need to respond to serious threats,' Premier Minns said.
Commissioner Lanyon added that the ARC would serve as a deterrent 'for anyone who wishes to commit harm, incite hatred or cause fear.'
The Bondi Beach Attack: What Happened
Authorities allege that Naveed Akram, 24, and his father, Sajid Akram, opened fire on a Jewish celebration at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025 using rifles and shotguns, killing 15 people and injuring dozens more. Sajid was shot dead by police at the scene. Court documents made public in December 2025 revealed that investigators found evidence the two had conducted firearms training at a rural property prior to the attack.
Legal Proceedings Against the Accused
In February, Naveed Akram made his first court appearance in Sydney via video link from a supermax prison, where he has been held since his hospital discharge following the attack. He faces 59 charges, including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. According to local media reports, Akram was largely silent during the administrative hearing, speaking only when directly addressed by the presiding Magistrate.
What Comes Next
The ARC is expected to become fully operational in the coming weeks as training exercises shift to live environments across Sydney. The unit's visible presence at places of worship and large gatherings is intended both as a practical rapid-response capability and as a deterrent signal to potential attackers. The Bondi Beach attack case continues through the NSW court system, with further hearings anticipated in the months ahead.
Point of View
Signalling a shift in threat assessment toward religiously motivated targeting. The Bondi attack also exposed a gap in rural firearms oversight: court documents showed the alleged attackers trained on a rural property undetected. Whether the ARC addresses that upstream vulnerability, or only the downstream response, will determine whether it is genuine reform or visible reassurance.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Armed Response Command (ARC) in NSW?
The Armed Response Command is a new, permanent 250-officer police unit established by the New South Wales government following the Bondi Beach terror attack of 14 December 2025. Officers are equipped with combat assault rifles and 24 purpose-built vehicles, and will patrol high-risk areas including places of worship and major public events across Sydney.
What happened in the Bondi Beach terror attack?
On 14 December 2025, authorities allege that Naveed Akram and his father Sajid Akram opened fire on a Jewish holiday celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, killing 15 people and injuring dozens more using rifles and shotguns. Sajid was shot dead by police at the scene, while Naveed was hospitalised and later taken into custody.
What charges does Naveed Akram face?
Naveed Akram, 24, faces 59 charges in connection with the Bondi Beach attack, including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. He appeared in a Sydney court in February via video link from a supermax prison and the case is continuing.
When will the ARC begin patrolling Sydney?
ARC officers are expected to begin patrols across Sydney over the coming weeks as the unit's training moves into realistic operational environments, ahead of the unit becoming fully operational. NSW Premier Chris Minns confirmed the timeline on 8 October 2026.
Why was the Armed Response Command created?
The ARC was created as a direct policy response to the Bondi Beach mass shooting of December 2025, which exposed gaps in rapid armed response capability. Premier Chris Minns said the priority is ensuring police have the 'people, training and equipment' to respond to serious threats, while Commissioner Mal Lanyon described the unit as a deterrent against those who wish to 'commit harm, incite hatred or cause fear.'
