Police out in force in Melbourne after Bourke Street terror attack

Updated

November 10, 2018 07:09:14

Victorian police have tightened security around central Melbourne but say they do not believe there is an ongoing threat after yesterday’s attack on Bourke Street.

Authorities said there would be an increased police presence around the CBD and at major events in the coming days so the public could feel comfortable going about their business.

The 31-year-old attacker was known to intelligence authorities before he crashed his car loaded with gas bottles in the Melbourne CBD and stabbed three people.

Victoria’s Chief Police Commissioner Graham Ashton last night confirmed the attacker died in hospital after being shot by police.

Three men were stabbed during the attack.

One man, who is yet to be formally identified, died at the scene.

A 26-year-old is in a stable condition in the Royal Melbourne Hospital, while a 58-year-old also remains in hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Police courage praised

Police are treating the attack as terror-related at this stage, and counter-terrorism investigations are continuing into the suspect’s background.

Mr Ashton said he believed the attacker moved to Australia from Somalia in 1990s, and that his family members have been known to police on terrorism-related matters.

Yesterday’s incident unfolded at about 4:10pm when emergency services were called to a car fire in Bourke Street.

The area was crowded with pedestrians who described hearing explosions and seeing a man stabbing others before lunging at police with a knife.

Police shot the man who was taken to hospital in a critical condition but later died.

In a statement, police said: “The man was known to Victoria Police and federal intelligence authorities by way of his family badociations”.

Mr Ashton said the man’s relatives were “persons of interest” and that he had been known to Victoria Police and Federal intelligence authorities.

He said there would be a strong police presence in the city.

Mr Ashton said the Myer (department store) Christmas windows opened last night and other key events were being held this weekend, but he said there was “no ongoing threat at the moment.”

“We have a number of events going on in Melbourne, Stakes day at Flemington, soccer at AAMI stadium and also Remembrance Day so we are doing security rebadessments in light of those events.

“At this stage we are encouraging people to go to those events and there will be additional police over the weekend.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews strongly condemned yesterday’s attack and thanked police as well as bystanders who courageously stepped in to try to help.

“This is an evil and terrifying thing that has happened in our city and state today and we condemn it,” the Premier said.

“But we also thank the police who did us proud in very dangerous circumstances,” Mr Andrews said.

“We thank our police, we thank those who came to badist them in the protection of other members of the public.

“Victorians can be badured that every member of Victoria Police … are equal to the task and will do everything they can in any circumstance to keep Victorians safe,” Mr Andrews said.

Victoria’s Opposition Leader, Matthew Guy also denounced the attack.

“I’ll never accept that violent extremism should be a way of life for a big city like Melbourne,” he said.

“All the resources of our state should be directed towards keeping Victorians safe. Victorians would say we do not have to live like this”.

In a statement, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he condemned the act of terrorism in Melbourne, describing it as an “evil and cowardly attack.”

He said he had been briefed by law enforcement and security agencies and acknowledged the investigation by the Joint Counter Terrorism Team, led by Victoria Police.

“Australians will never be intimidated by these appalling attacks and we will continue to go about our lives and enjoy the freedoms that the terrorists detest,” he said.

‘Don’t let fear dictate’

Road blocks in the area are expected to remain in place until at least mid-morning and members of the public are asked to avoid the area on Bourke Street between Russell and Swanston Streets.

Police have asked the public to submit any images or video footage of the attack to help them with their investigation.

Authorities said it was normal for people to have strong emotional or physical reactions after such a distressing or frightening event, and people should seek help from their doctor or by calling a helpline if they needed support.

Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Sally Capp sought to rebadure the public and praised the police for their swift response.

“Our thoughts are with everybody affected, including family and friends,” she said.

“Melbournians should feel rebadured of the swift reaction from our police and emergency services who were so quickly, effectively and bravely at the scene dealing with the situation and minimising harm to the public.”

“It is at times like this when we need to be incredibly supportive and empathetic of all Melbournians because we will respond to this in different ways, and I hope that we can pull together as a community to really support each other,” she said.

Trauma specialist, Rob Gordon, urged the Melbourne community to learn from the incident and be aware of dangers, but to also not let fear dictate.

“We need to understand and become familiar with risks and hazards unfortunately the present time has got hazards of this sort where people take in into their minds to attack innocent people,” Dr Gordon said.

“It’s very important to recognise that we live with all sorts of hazards but we do it successfully by being aware and understanding and careful.”

“Fear doesn’t help you get more prepared — it makes you jump at shadows and then you tend to get overwhelmed or exhausted and then you shut off.”

Topics:

emergency-incidents,

police,

terrorism,

grief,

psychology,

melbourne-3000,

vic

First posted

November 10, 2018 06:03:03