As Sunday’s Bondi Beach attack unfolded, footage showed a man moving toward a gunman and wrestling the weapon away. It was an extraordinary act of bravery that left him shot twice. He was identified as 43-year-old Ahmed al Ahmed, a local fruit shop owner.
Such courage likely prevented further loss of life, though we can’t know how many lives were saved. The moment recalls a similar bystander intervention during the Bondi Junction shopping centre attack in 2024. These acts draw praise but also raise questions: what drives ordinary people to take such high-risk action, and is intervention a sound strategy compared with official advice?
Many know the “bystander effect,” where the presence of others discourages intervention. But behavioural research complicates the idea that people inevitably freeze in group emergencies. A large meta-analysis shows that in clear, dangerous emergencies—especially those involving a visible perpetrator—the classic passive bystander effect weakens or reverses. Violence can sharpen responsibility: when a situation is obviously life-threatening, people recognise it faster and are less likely to wait for social cues.
Analysis of over 100 suicide attacks in Israel found bystander intervention often reduced casualties. Interventions rarely stopped attacks completely, but they disrupted attackers’ timing and location, forcing premature action in less crowded settings and saving lives. The analysis also shows interveners frequently paid a direct personal cost.
Active bystander behaviour varies. It can include noticing and reporting concerning behaviour beforehand, guiding others to safety or sharing information during an event, and providing help and coordination afterward.
Official advice, however, tends to discourage confrontation. Australia’s new national public safety campaign acknowledges the risk of weapons attacks in crowded places and advises “Escape. Hide. Tell.”:
– Escape: move quickly and quietly away from danger if it’s safe.
– Hide: stay out of sight and silence your phone.
– Tell: call police by dialling Triple Zero (000) when safe.
This guidance aims to help people in the critical moments before police arrive. It does not instruct people to confront attackers. By contrast, the FBI’s US guidance “Run. Hide. Fight” includes a “fight” step only as a last-resort when escape and hiding aren’t possible and life is in immediate danger. Australian authorities prioritise avoidance and reporting over confrontation.
Research offers practical behavioural advice to improve survival in violent attacks, particularly in crowds. Key points include:
– Move away from the threat quickly and safely; slow movement away is not ideal.
– Avoid hesitation such as gathering information, inspecting the scene, or filming—these increase risk.
– Stay agile: continuously scan surroundings and adjust movement rather than stopping to reassess.
– When moving with others, use single-file or back-to-back “snake” formations rather than side-by-side holding hands; this reduces congestion and improves flow.
The Sydney events are horrific and underline a difficult reality: preparedness for violent risks in crowded places needs to become more mainstream. Crowded spaces will always be vulnerable to deliberate violence, whether from terrorism or other motives. Public messaging should be evidence-based, nuanced, and widely accessible.
With major public events and large gatherings approaching, including New Year’s Eve, it is more important than ever for people to be aware of these risks and remain vigilant.
