A major independent investigation is underway almost 10 hours after the Sydney siege ended tragically in the early hours of Tuesday morning, culminating in the death of two hostages and the armed offender.
Deputy NSW Police Commissioner Catherine Burn told media that it may take weeks or even months to properly establish exactly what happened during this tragic event.
“It has been a difficult situation, it has been demanding, it has been complicated,” she said.
“They are now working through interviewing everybody who is involved.
“A lot of people are very tired at the moment.
“This will take time for us to gather all of the information so we can piece together bit-by-bit what happened.
“That investigation will take place over the next weeks and possibly months.”
Police stormed the Lindt Chocolate Cafe in Martin Place just after 2am this morning, following a 16-hour ordeal for at least 17 hostages trapped inside the shop.
The area around the cafe has been cordoned off and the exclusion zone, which was put in place yesterday, remains secure to assist the police in stopping vehicles and pedestrians from entering the crime scene.
Police are working to have most roads open in the Sydney CBD in coming hours, but have asked for patience.
“We still have a crime scene set up in Martin Place, we still have road closures, we still have diversions and we still have an exclusion zone,” Burn said.
“We will work very hard to… have that exclusion zone lifted.”
In the lead up to Christmas and New Years Eve celebrations, police will be ramping up their presence on the streets, with Operation Hammerhead, which was implemented after the country’s largest terrorism raids took place in September, now running 24 hours a day.
“We will have a police commander onsite every single shift,” Burn said. “We are here to provide confidence and comfort to the community.
“Hammerhead will continue into Christmas and over the New Year.”
MORE COVERAGE
PHOTOS: A dramatic end to the Sydney cafe siege
VIDEO: The moment police stormed the cafe in the Sydney siege
CRITICAL INVESTIGATION: Police launch probe after confirming three killed in Sydney siege
HOSTAGE TAKER: Man Monis was a ‘spiritual healer’ with a long rap sheet
HOW IT HAPPENED: Police entered when they heard gunshots inside the cafe
REACTION: The front pages of newspapers around the world this morning
BUSINESS AS USUAL: Sydney is open for business following the tragic event
SYDNEY TRANSPORT: What you need to know to head to the CBD today
PRIME MINISTER: There are ‘lessons to be learned’ from the Sydney siege
Business Insider Emails & Alerts
Site highlights each day to your inbox.
Follow Business Insider Australia on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.