Security response to mass stabbing faces scrutiny
Miklos Bolza |
An inquest into the shocking stabbing attack on shoppers at a mall will examine the effectiveness of the response of security guards.
Joel Cauchi was homeless and experiencing psychotic symptoms when he walked into Sydney’s Bondi Junction Westfield armed with a pigging knife in April 2024.
He killed six victims and injured 10 before being shot dead by a police officer.
As an inquest into the tragedy continues on Wednesday, three witnesses are set to take the stand to explain the security response to the attacks.
A manager from the firm that owns Westfield, Scentre Group, will give evidence followed by two witnesses from security contractor Glad Group.
The names and identities of these witnesses cannot be revealed for legal reasons.
As the inquest opened last week, the NSW Coroners Court was told that the CCTV control room was unmanned as Cauchi stabbed his first victim.
While the lone security guard was on a toilet break, the 40-year-old attacked eight individuals, including three who would later die, before she returned.
Counsel assisting Peggy Dwyer SC said this forced security guards to play catch up to try and deal with the unfolding situation.
Alerts and alarms were only issued after Cauchi had been shot and stopped in his tracks by Inspector Amy Scott, the first police officer on the scene.
These alerts were also incorrect, telling customers to evacuate rather than to escape or hide due to an armed offender in the premises.
However, the security guards who responded to Cauchi’s unprovoked rampage have been commended for their work, including Faraz Tahir, 30, who was killed.
Dawn Singleton, 25, Ashlee Good, 38, Jade Young, 47, Pikria Darchia, 55, and Yixuan Cheng, 27, also died in the tragedy.
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AAP
