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Merrylands police station attack: officers prevented a tragedy, says police chief Merrylands police station attack: officers prevented a tragedy, says police chief
(about 1 month later)
Police officers prevented a tragedy by throwing themselves into harm’s way after a man set himself alight and rammed his fuel-soaked car into a police station in Sydney’s west, the New South Wales police commissioner says.Police officers prevented a tragedy by throwing themselves into harm’s way after a man set himself alight and rammed his fuel-soaked car into a police station in Sydney’s west, the New South Wales police commissioner says.
“They put out the flame and removed a gas bottle that had been opened and was inside the vehicle at the time,” Andrew Scipione told reporters on Friday morning.“They put out the flame and removed a gas bottle that had been opened and was inside the vehicle at the time,” Andrew Scipione told reporters on Friday morning.
The officers were then able to drag the badly burnt driver from his vehicle to prevent what could have been a dangerous explosion, he said.The officers were then able to drag the badly burnt driver from his vehicle to prevent what could have been a dangerous explosion, he said.
“So many people could have been in serious [danger] – including members of the community,” he said. “There were civilians walking across the footpath in the footage I have seen, not seconds before let alone minutes before this event.”“So many people could have been in serious [danger] – including members of the community,” he said. “There were civilians walking across the footpath in the footage I have seen, not seconds before let alone minutes before this event.”
The attacker, who was under police guard in hospital in a serious but stable condition on Friday, was spotted parked in the driveway of the Merrylands police station about 7pm on Thursday.The attacker, who was under police guard in hospital in a serious but stable condition on Friday, was spotted parked in the driveway of the Merrylands police station about 7pm on Thursday.
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As officers approached he ignited the inside of his car and then rammed into the roller door of the underground car park. Officers put out the fire and dragged the unconscious man from the car, which was carrying gas cylinders.As officers approached he ignited the inside of his car and then rammed into the roller door of the underground car park. Officers put out the fire and dragged the unconscious man from the car, which was carrying gas cylinders.
The man has not been formally identified but he is believed to be in his 60s and known to police.The man has not been formally identified but he is believed to be in his 60s and known to police.
Officers raided the man’s nearby home on Friday morning and seized items – including gas cylinders – for forensic examination.Officers raided the man’s nearby home on Friday morning and seized items – including gas cylinders – for forensic examination.
Investigators trying to pinpoint the motive for the attack said there was nothing so far to show it was terrorism-related.Investigators trying to pinpoint the motive for the attack said there was nothing so far to show it was terrorism-related.
Scipione said security at the station was already extremely high but would be reviewed.Scipione said security at the station was already extremely high but would be reviewed.
“We will go back again and have a look at this because we will never stop in doing all we can to secure our police stations for our police,” he said.“We will go back again and have a look at this because we will never stop in doing all we can to secure our police stations for our police,” he said.
Scipione praised the actions of his officers, particularly the efforts of a young policewoman who was among the first to respond.Scipione praised the actions of his officers, particularly the efforts of a young policewoman who was among the first to respond.
“She is the epitome of what we could say is a really good cop,” he said.“She is the epitome of what we could say is a really good cop,” he said.
One local man told reporters he did not feel safe living in the area and had installed cameras around his home.One local man told reporters he did not feel safe living in the area and had installed cameras around his home.
Merrylands has been on high alert after several terrorism-related incidents and raids in the past two years. Locals had a right to feel safe, Scipione said.Merrylands has been on high alert after several terrorism-related incidents and raids in the past two years. Locals had a right to feel safe, Scipione said.
“These people deserve what we’ve given them last night and that is protection and we’ve done what we had to do because these people matter,” he said.“These people deserve what we’ve given them last night and that is protection and we’ve done what we had to do because these people matter,” he said.