Westfield security guards to be issued body-worn cameras nearly a year after fatal Bondi Junction attack

Security guards at Westfield Shopping Centres across the country will be issued body-worn cameras nearly a year after six people were killed in an attack at Bondi Junction in Sydney.

Body-worn cameras, coined team safety cameras, will now be rolled out across 42 Westfields across Australia and New Zealand after additional protective equipment, including vests, were brought in for all Westfield security officers last year.

Yixuan Cheng, Dawn Singleton, Faraz Ahmed Tahir, Ashlee Good, Jade Young, and Pikria Darchia were all killed in the attack on April 13 last year after Joel Cauchi stabbed them.

He was later shot dead by police.

Josh Hanrahan presents a DTTV feature on the heroes of the Bondi Junction massacre

“We heightened security across all Westfield destinations following the events of 7 October 2023 and further enhanced this following the attack at Westfield Bondi on 13 April 2024,” said a spokesperson for Scentre Group, which who owns and operates the Westfield centres.

The body-worn cameras were trialled at Westfield destinations prior to being rolled out across the 42 locations.

“The introduction of the team safety cameras is to enhance the safety and security of our customers, business partners and team members,” the Scentre spokesperson said.

“Our security officers may turn on the recording function on the team safety cameras to capture audio and video recordings of incidents when they have reasonable concern for their safety or welfare or that of others.”

The spokesperson said “safety and security” was Westfield’s highest priority, with security measures created with the guidance of government agencies and law enforcement.

“We invest in our security practices and continuously improve our capability, processes and people’s preparedness to respond to security incidents,” the spokesperson said.

It’s understood the footage can be shared with police to assist with investigations and will be collected and used by Scentre Group when responding to incidents.

Signage regarding CCTV is displayed across Westfield destinations.