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Australian authotities plan terrorism lockdown for national day of remembrance

Xinhua, April 22, 2017 Adjust font size:

Australian authorities are preparing to put major cities in terror lockdown for the country's national day of remembrance.

Celebrated on April 25 every year, Anzac Day commemorates members of the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who served and died in all wars and conflicts.

Australian counter-terrorism agencies will be on high alert for the day following the lone-wolf terrorist attack in Paris in which a police officer was shot dead.

Frontline police and specialist officers will spend the eve of Anzac Day in Melbourne scouring streets, gardens and buildings for anything suspicious.

Hi-tech cameras will be used by authorities throughout the day to monitor persons of interest in the city.

Peter O'Neill, Acting Commander of Victoria Police, said a "bubble" would be placed around the city to ease community fears after the Paris attack and a foiled terror plot on Anzac Day in 2015.

He said that while no direct threat had emerged, police could not afford to be complacent.

"There is nothing on the radar but as we have watched, there have been events unfold over the last three to four years and we are not immune to them," O'Neill told News Limited on Saturday.

"We will maintain a strong police presence and have a bubble around parts of the city to provide a safe environment - it's something that we have to do. We want people to embrace the day - don't be intimidated."

More than 60,000 people are expected in the city on Tuesday for the dawn service and Anzac Day match while the traditional Anzac Day Aussie Rules match between Collingwood and Essendon is expected to draw a crowd of more than 90,000.

Sevdet Ramadan Besim was jailed for 10 yeas in 2016 after pleading guilty to planning a terrorist attack in Melbourne on Anzac Day in 2015.

Besim intended to run down and behead a police officer before using a gun to go on a rampage throughout the city. Endit