Sydney Boxing Day shoppers faced with confronting security measures
Semi trailers and concrete bollards blocked streets around Sydney's CBD as a safeguard shoppers during the Boxing Day sales frenzy.
Thousands of shoppers who hit the city on Tuesday were faced with a confronting security measure, with Pitt Street Mall, George Street and Elizabeth Streets blocked off.
Police say the rigs were placed in the recently-opened pedestrian shopping strip for "traffic management and security", however Seven News understands they were there to discourage a mass-casualty terror attack.
The semi-trailer trucks protected crowds of shoppers from the menace of vehicle-borne attackers, after 18 pedestrians were mowed down last Thursday in Melbourne's CBD.
Twenty people were hospitalised including two men who remain critical, after a white 4WD ploughed through a group of pedestrians crossing Flinders Street.
Seven News understands the heightened security in Sydney's CBD was a preventative measure specifically to deter copy-cat attacks.
"In light of the large number of people expected at Boxing Day sales police have put traffic management and security measures in place," NSW Police said in a statement.
"This will be a one day police operation while there is no specific threat."
In the lead up to Christmas, the Victorian Premier assured there would be an increased police presence at major events, including 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 told reporters at the weekend.
However, Sydney Boxing Day shoppers seemed more worried about their photo faces as they posed with the new city attractions, or took a load off after a long day at the tills.
"It's good to take precautions for sure, especially with how busy it is today," one shopper told 7 News.
Another added: "It's obviously to stop renegade drivers hurtling through the city and running over pedestrians like it's happened in Melbourne, so pretty good idea."
