<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Some </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/police" rel="" target="_blank" title="police"><span>police</span></a><span> patrolling the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/boxing-day-public-holiday-australia-history-origins-explained/9e4dc719-3f70-4538-86b7-41f5c30bb30a" rel="" target="_blank" title="Boxing Day"><span>Boxing Day</span></a><span> test between Australia and England will be carrying semi-automatic longarm rifles, </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/victoria-police" rel="" target="_blank" title="Victoria Police"><span>Victoria Police</span></a><span> has confirmed.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In a statement released today, they said "specialist" police would be given extra firepower for the test match, which begins on December 26 and could last until December 30.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Victoria Police insist the measure is precautionary and not in response to any new threat detected.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bondi-beach-shooting-anthony-albanese-approval-rating-sussan-ley-antisemitism/67ebac52-efb2-471b-98fe-29a60116bc30" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Anthony Albanese's approval rating plummets in wake of Bondi terror attack</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's important to stress this is a proactive, precautionary measure based on the current threat environment," Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We know it's unusual to see police with these weapons outside the MCG but I want to assure everyone this is about greater safety and providing reassurance to the community."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It comes just a week after the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/bondi-shooting" rel="" target="_blank" title="Bondi terror attack"><span>Bondi terror attack</span></a><span>, which left 15 people dead in </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/sydney" rel="" target="_blank" title="Sydney"><span>Sydney</span></a><span>, where police armed with only pistols were forced to confront gunmen with more powerful weapons.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/boxing-day-test-ashes-melbourne-victoria-police-semi-automatic-guns/842bcd21-d3cc-49af-a443-470fffa78808" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/immigration-visa-police-check-false-identity-crimes-exclusive/8f724407-ca0d-484e-87aa-b5dbb0957699" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Andy wanted to call Australia home. Instead he was accused of crimes he 'didn't commit'</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The measures have been supported by Cricket Australia and by the Melbourne Cricket Club.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It has been confirmed the semi-automatic rifles the officers will carry are already part of their regular tactical equipment.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>There will also be extra patrols in and around the MCG, including at nearby train stations.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Around 75,000 people are expected to attend day one on Boxing Day, and officials believe around 373,000 people may attend over the five days of the test match.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f"><em><strong><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></strong></em></a><em><strong><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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