SA venues review safety measures in wake of Manchester Arena terror attack

SECURITY at Ed Sheeran and Jerry Seinfeld’s Adelaide shows are among those under review in the wake of the Manchester terror attack — as the city prepares for a series of big events in the next year.

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JUST two weeks ago, Adelaide was in the throes of a mock terror attack at Adelaide Oval, preparing the state’s emergency services for a day we hope will never come.

Adelaide has a series of major events scheduled in the coming 12 months, from pop star Ed Sheeran at Adelaide Oval to comedian Jerry Seinfeld at the Entertainment Centre. Organisers of all events will work with authorities to ensure the safety of patrons.

Adelaide Venue Management chief executive Anthony Kirchner, whose company is responsible for the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide Convention Centre and Cooper’s Stadium, said its venues reviewed safety measures last month and would liaise with SAPOL and other agencies following attacks such as that at Manchester Arena.

“Adelaide Venue Management has detailed security plans in place across all its venues to endeavour to protect visitors to our venues,” Mr Kirchner said.

British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. Picture: AFP

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld. Picture: GETTY

A Stadium Management Authority spokeswoman said Adelaide Oval was assessing information from Manchester with the relevant security agencies and would be guided by their advice.

But a decision on permanent bollards outside of the oval was yet to be reached.

“The Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure are now finalising a review of the designs to determine the best solution based on national and international standards for vehicle impact bollards,” she said.

“While they’re not aesthetically pleasing, the temporary concrete blocks are a completely effective and flexible deterrent measure while the permanent solution is being developed.

Mr Kirchner said AVM would review the recent attack to determine if there were lessons it could benefit from.

“Further, SAPOL and other relevant government agencies liaise closely with Adelaide Venue Management when there is an incident, be it international or local, that they feel requires us to show an increased level of vigilance because of a perceived or real increase in risk,” he said.

An Emergency Services worker tends to an ‘injured’ person during the recent mock terrorist exercise at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Sarah Reed

Emergency Services response exercise at Adelaide Oval recently. Picture Sarah Reed

SA Police Deputy Commissioner Linda Williams said SAPOL was constantly training, preparing and learning from events here and abroad.

She suggested that major venues like Adelaide Oval should consider banning backpacks or more comprehensive searches of visitors.

“We do a lot of work with organisations where large crowds of people attend venues, whether it’s concerts or sporting events,” she said.

“In preparation, we work extensively with our local partners, government and non-government in terms of prevention and protecting our community and being as vigilant as we can.”

An Adelaide City Council spokeswoman said bollards had been installed at all entrances to Rundle Mall to block unauthorised vehicles.