Security ‘breakdown’ blamed for MCG gun scare
The MCG said a breakdown in the thoroughness of the screening process allowed two men to allegedly smuggle loaded guns into the stadium.
Two men have been charged after allegedly smuggling loaded guns into Melbourne’s MCG stadium at a blockbuster AFL match.
The footy fans were allegedly caught with the firearms hidden down their pants at Thursday night’s game between Collingwood and Carlton at the MCG.
The pair somehow managed to elude new AI-powered full-body scanners installed a year ago to detect weapons in a multimillion-dollar security upgrade.
Police were alerted to the men after they reportedly caused a disturbance in the stands during the second half.
“Police were called by security at the MCG to assist with two males refusing to leave the venue due to their behaviour,” Victoria Police said.
“As a consequence, police have arrested two males and during a search it is alleged two firearms were located on each of these males.”
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No one was injured during the incident, police said.
A 21-year-old Roxburgh Park man and a 27-year-old Broadmeadows man were taken into custody and interviewed on Thursday night, police said.
Numerous charges were announced on Friday morning.
The 27-year-old from Broadmeadows was charged with possessing an unregistered handgun, possessing ammunition without licence, altering the serial number of a firearm, possessing a loaded firearm, possessing a prohibited item (Major Event Act offence) and failing to appear on bail.
The Roxburgh Park man, 21, was charged with being a person prohibited from possessing a firearm, possessing ammunition without licence, and committing an indictable offence whilst on bail.
They remain in custody and will face the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court later on Friday.
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Manager of the MCG, chief executive Stuart Fox said the security screening units identified items of concern, however an internal investigation identified a “breakdown in the thoroughness of the secondary and manual screening process”.
“As a result, we will be increasing the extensiveness of the secondary manual security process and patrons may experience slight delays as they attend upcoming events,” Fox said in a statement.
“We will continue to work closely with Victoria Police, the AFL and our security provider in executing the MCG’s security procedures.
“Our common and number one priority is the ongoing wellbeing and safety of all patrons and everyone involved in the delivery of an event.”
More than 82,000 fans watched the Magpies defeat their arch-rivals at the sold-out AFL game.
It is unclear how the men managed to get the weapons past the MCG’s upgraded security.
Footy fans are required to walk through AI-powered full-body weapons scanners when entering the stadium.
The Evolv Express technology uses sensors, cameras and AI software and replaces the need for manual searches with metal detectors by security staff.
The company has said its scanners can analyse 3500 people an hour, per entry lane — 10 times faster than traditional metal detectors.
The technology is also used at several major stadiums in the US.
However, there is reportedly a lawsuit in the US after the software failed to detect a knife that was used to stab someone.
