British Bobby to battle Barmy Army
January 1, 2007
A British Bobby recruited by the NSW government to keep England's Barmy Army cricket fans in check has already started work in Sydney.
Assistant Chief Constable Bob Dyson went straight to work helping to police Sydney's New Year's Eve festivities after flying in on Sunday morning.
NSW Police Minister John Watkins said Mr Dyson was on duty at Sydney hotspots including Bondi, Coogee, Kings Cross and The Rocks as 2007 ticked over.
"And tomorrow he will watch over England cricket supporters when the Sydney Ashes Test gets under way," said Mr Watkins, who is assisting with crowd management and control.
Mr Watkins said the specialist cricket cop would serve as an extra deterrent to anti-social behaviour and his presence sent a clear message.
"Police will crack down on any troublemakers intent on spoiling the cricket or any other events during this exciting time of year," he said.
Mr Dyson, who has been brought to NSW for less than $7,000, would be on hand at a number of sporting events, including the Sydney FC football match against New Zealand on Sunday.
"This posting is about much more than the Fifth test alone and the behaviour of the crowd at the game," Mr Watkins said.
Mr Dyson, who emigrated from Britain to Australia with his parents when he was 10 and then returned to England as an adult, is the first foreign police officer brought to NSW for security at a major sporting event outside the Olympics.
He started his career as a cadet in Victoria, and currently holds the position of national leader for policing of cricket in England and Wales.
Cricket fans were put on notice on Monday to behave, with Cricket Australia announcing a ban on Mexican waves at the SCG for the Fifth Test.
The ban has been imposed to stop dangerous rubbish being flung into the air during the stadium-wide wave.