Man seriously hurt during airport brawl (Sydney T3)

[NM]

I think its safe to say that the security people at the screening point are not guards, they dont carry guns nor other means of restraint, however they are equipped with an alerting mechanisim that is in essence a hotline intercom to the police and I would imagine that was used, AFAIK the ruckus started right out the front of the secondary screening point on the departures level.

Indeed I would expect the security screening people to perform three functions in this situation:
1. Lock down their security screening point to ensure no breach during the ruckus
2. Help protect the innocent public by keeping onlookers away from the situation
3. Notify police of the situation

I would not expect security screening people to try to break up a fight between two bikie gangs. That is just going to get them injured as well and serve no purpose in achieving the three goals above. As far as I can tell from the reports, those three things were accomplished by the security screeners in the area. There does not seem to have been a breach of the security control point, other passengers and airport visitors were not injured, and the police were called. How quickly the last one occurred is a matter for airport and police investigation.

 

[JohnK]

Bikies called for back-up mid-flight

Rival bikies trading threats on board a Qantas flight used their mobile phones to send for back-up — before a fatal brawl erupted at Sydney Airport on Sunday afternoon.

Passengers watched as six heavily tattooed men — in a chance encounter between the Hells Angels and the Comancheros — argued on board Qantas Flight 430 before sending text messages to mates on the ground, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Some interesting comments

As NSW authorities promise a crackdown on outlaw motorcycle gangs, it has emerged that Victoria will not join the effort for fear of violating bikies' human rights.

Victoria will not take part in a national phone-in campaign targeting bikie-related crime becuase of the state's human rights charter — the only of its kind in Australia — which forbids targeting people because they are a member of a group.

Are they serious about law enforcement in Victoria? Bikies' human rights? What about the human rights of innocent bystanders, especially young children, that had to witness this brawl at Sydney airport?

 

[candyflip]

I understand that there is media beat-up and the whole truth has not yet emerged, and that the threat of terrorism has probably been over-stated, BUT, the risks to ALL our safety here are plain and obvious to see.

The Age today: The Police Commissioner, Andrew Scipione, said: "If these people want to act like terrorists, we'll deal with them like they're terrorists."

So dealing with that would be, not having any viable footage from cameras that weren't even turned on? Further, have never been tested before (else we'd know they weren't turned on and didn't produce anything worth having?). And worse still, no co-ordinated plan in case of a terrorist-like strike? (how did the Security *know* this attack was bikie-related only)...

OK, so a bikie died - big deal huh? What if it was your daughter in a 'collateral damage' incident? Or another member of your family who got a little too close. Or you?

Not good enough NSW police and government. Unfortunately, I have no confidence that any other State in Aus is any better prepared. I agree that the Security guys probably did their job, as outlined. I just think that 'job' does not involve enough protection for any person using our largest International airport!

If these idiots had tried this in any other major airport (Hong Kong, Paris).. well,..... they wouldn't have. The obvious deterrant of a machine-gun toting security force is too much for even these block-heads to have seriously considered.

 

[Arthur Hodgson]

Not good enough NSW police and government. Unfortunately, I have no confidence that any other State in Aus is any better prepared. I agree that the Security guys probably did their job, as outlined. I just think that 'job' does not involve enough protection for any person using our largest International airport!

If these idiots had tried this in any other major airport (Hong Kong, Paris).. well,..... they wouldn't have. The obvious deterrant of a machine-gun toting security force is too much for even these block-heads to have seriously considered.

Hey candyflip, why are you taking it out against the NSW police? They are bit players, and have no real responsibility at airports. Walk down George St late at night and you will know what I mean

It wouldn't matter whether you had an automatic rifle or a handgun. If you're not there the difference is not great.

It's Mick Keelty you need to have a problem with.

I don't think you should feel safe that we are protected against "terrorists", but that bottle of water you just bought landside needs to be confiscated.