Major shopping centres across Australia are in for a security upgrade, with guards now required to wear body cameras almost a year since the Westfield Bondi Junction stabbing attack that killed six people.
Scentre Group — which operates 42 Westfield malls — announced the new measure on Tuesday, having previously introduced stab-proof vests last year.
As reported by ABC News, a spokesperson for the group stated the recording devices were being rolled out for the safety of customers as well as staff.
“Our security officers may turn on the recording function on the team safety cameras to capture audio and video recordings of incidents when they have reasonable concern for their safety or welfare, or that of others,” they said.
The spokesperson indicated safety and security was Westfield’s highest priority, with the measures developed alongside guidance of government agencies and law enforcement.
It’s understood the body-worn cameras were trialled at Westfield destinations prior to being rolled out across all the locations.
“We invest in our security practices and continuously improve our capability, processes and people’s preparedness to respond to security incidents,” the spokesperson said.
The publication reported footage from the cameras will be collected and used by Scentre Group when responding to incidents. Access to footage will be restricted and may be shared with authorities to assist in their investigations.
Signage informing customers about the cameras will be put up at entry points to Westfield buildings.
Speaking to ABC News, Griffith University criminologist Justin Ready said there has been a rise in private companies adopting body-worn cameras as a potential way to deter violent behaviour, although there wasn’t much evidence that they prevented crime.
“There’s this idea that this technology can be a quick fix, a silver bullet, [but] it’s not a panacea,” Dr Ready told the publication.
“It can make an impact in some settings, but in the private sector this is really new ground. It will depend on the actual policies and use.”
The implementation of body-worn cameras comes on the eve of the first anniversary of the Bondi Westfield attack on April 13, 2024 where six people lost their lives at the hands of Joel Cauchi.
The Queensland man had entered the popular shopping centre armed with a knife and began stabbing people at random.
The six victims were named as Yixuan Cheng (27), Pikria Darchia (55), Faraz Tahir (30), Jade Young (47), Ashlee Good (38) and Dawn Singleton (25).
Cauchi was eventually shot dead by NSW Police Officer Amy Scott.
A coronial inquest hearing into the attack is slated to be held in New South Wales next month.
Lead image: supplied
The post Westfield Announces New Security Measure Almost A Year Since Fatal Bondi Junction Attack appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
