A man embroiled in a bomb scare at Bondi has apologised after the incident sparked a major police response forced evacuations and disrupted one of Sydney’s busiest coastal precincts.
Police said that officers were called after concerns were raised about a suspicious item linked to the man prompting cordons and a safety operation while specialist units assessed the risk.
The scare unfolded in the heavily trafficked area, popular with locals, tourists and businesses amplifying public anxiety and causing delays across the nearby streets and public transport.
The man later apologized via police for the disruption and alarm caused.
Authorities said checks had confirmed there was no explosive device and no ongoing threat to the public once checks were completed and the incident was resolved without injury.
There has been no allegation by NSW Police that the man intended to harm anyone and no suggestion of any link to terrorism.
Officers at the scene said the response was precautionary, in line with standard procedure when reports raise the prospect of explosives or other dangerous items being present in crowded locations.
The apology has come as police continued efforts to establish what happened leading to the engagement of the entire emergency response system.
According to police, they were examining the circumstances that led to the first call and whether any crimes had been committed including issues of public order or hoax.
No charges have been placed at the time of writing.
The Bondi area was partly shut down during the operation with businesses asked to temporarily close and members of the public moved to a safe distance.
The lockdown according to traders, dampened lunchtime business which is already being felt in the hospitality and retail sector related to increased operational costs.
The emergency agencies have defended the magnitude of their response by stating that all decisions made are centered on public safety as the top priority.
In areas with high populations, the police have no alternative but to move with celerity and prudence despite the danger being baseless in the end.
The senior officials have continued to say that they cannot under react when there are genuine concerns being raised.
The incident has reopened debate about the consequences of false alarms and misunderstandings in public places especially in the era of heightened security awareness.
While police urge the public to report suspicious behaviour or items, police have also issued warnings that careless acts or poor judgment can come with serious consequences.
Local leaders described the scare as unsettling saluting cooperation among the public and first responders.
They encouraged people to be vigilant while also keeping in mind how their actions may be perceived in busy public spaces.
Bondi has been the target of large scale policing operations in the past and officials say lessons learned from previous incidents have better coordinated police, transport authorities and local councils.
Those arrangements were again tested by the latest scare, as roads reopened and services restored after the all clear was given.
The police said that the matter remained under review and as before, asked anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
Meanwhile, police reassurance continues with officers remaining visible in the area with the resumption of normal activity.
