Authorities turned Sydney’s shopping district into a fortress as tens of thousands of shoppers swarmed the city hunting for Boxing Day bargains.
Huge trucks and imposing concrete bollards blocked off usually busy roads near the city’s bustling Pitt Street and Queen Victoria Building (QVB) precinct.
As scores of uniformed police patrolled the streets, Daily Mail Australia spotted semi-trailers parked across roads near George Street and Market Street.
Police blocked off the roads around Sydney’s biggest shopping precincts with concrete bollards and semi-trailers as tens of thousands swarmed the shops for bargains
The horrifying attack at Flinders Street in Melbourne last Thursday did little to deter tens of thousands of shoppers from going about their business
A trucking big effort: The city’s George Street thoroughfare – opened to foot traffic just this month – was protected by a mammoth semi-trailers
Shoppers took the new protective measures in their stride as they hunted down the best bargains
The heightened security measures come just four days after a man allegedly ploughed his car into pedestrians on Melbourne’s Flinders Street.
Two people remain in a critical condition in hospital.
Victoria Police described it as a ‘deliberate attack’ and charged Afghan migrant Saeed Noori, 32, with 19 counts of attempted murder.
The threat of terrorism did not appear to have deterred Sydney shoppers with tens of thousands turning out for the annual sales.
Several hundred people were waiting outside the Myer department store when doors opened at 5am on Tuesday.
Tens of thousands descended on the city, with Australian shoppers expected to spend $2.36 billion on Boxing Day, the National Retail Association said.
Protective barrier: Workers were seen installing concrete bollards and moving semi-trailers into place before most shops had even opened
Huge bollards were installed in front of the Pitt Street shopping precinct, close to the city’s biggest department stores
Bright and early! Hundreds lined up outside David Jones in the early hours of Tuesday morning to get their hands on the clearance sales
The National Retail Association said Australian shoppers are expected to spend more than $2 billion on Boxing Day
Meantime, Victorian officials ramped up security at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the Boxing Day test, with punters warned to allow extra time for bag checks.
One apparent attendee, Lawrie Masterton, tweeted: ‘Great security @MCG. Cops even checked security guys’ IDs before gates opened. Well done’.
Another, Kate Nolan, said: ‘Top work @MCG security. All pretty quick and painless.’
The Victorian government said there would be an increased police presence at other major events, including upcoming New Year’s Eve festivities.
‘If you see something that you don’t think is right, speak to one of the many members of Victoria Police that will be out and about over this really busy period,’ Premier Daniel Andrews said at the weekend:
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