Police banned from having mobile phones in Brisbane G20 security headquarters Brisbane is getting ready to welcome thousands of international delegates and media. Australias G20 presidency has already brought many benefits to Brisbane. New city infrastructure has provided jobs and engaged local businesses. This will be vital to the success of the Leaders Summit, and will also help the Brisbane economy long into the future. SECURITY is so tight inside Brisbane's G20 nerve centre that police are being banned from taking their mobile phones into some areas to foil the possibility of spying. Senior sources have confirmed phones are being excluded from some "sensitive" security meetings inside the new Police Operations Centre (POC) because of concerns "about the electronic transmission of information." "There are some areas where mobile phones are excluded but that is a rarity,"" a source said. The police operations centre has areas within it where mobile phones can be excluded as a matter of course. Most people entering the POC do have their mobile phones with them but there are times and places within the POC where mobile phones are excluded. There is a whole range of reasons for that. It's about the electronic transmission of information. There are certain apps that if people are on their phone, those phones can be used like a broadcasting device without the knowledge of the individual (using the phone). Police Commissioner Ian Stewart confirmed "counter intelligence initiatives"" were being taken inside the POC and other sensitive areas, where considered necessary. Deputy Commissioner Ross Barnett, Assistant Commissioner Katarina Carroll, Treasurer Tim Nicholls and Police Commissioner Ian Stewart tour the G20 Police Operations Centre. Pic: Tara Croser This is a normal practice in highly secure areas. Where there are discussions which are very sensitive, mobile phones are excluded from those meetings,"" Mr Stewart said. Does that happen regularly in Brisbane? Does that happen regularly in places like Canberra? Yes it does. "With the POC and other intelligence areas, there are times when this initiative and strategy are used because of the nature of the conversations,"" Mr Stewart said. Meanwhile, up to 150 officers will work around the clock at the new $4.5 million police operations centre in the Roma St headquarters, monitoring live feeds from hundreds of security cameras and the police helicopter. "Counter intelligence initiatives"" are being taken inside the Police Operations Centre, above. The cameras will track the movements of motorcades from the airport to the city, the hotels where the world leaders will be staying, summit venues as well as possible protest hot-spots. "It really is a state of the art facility,"" said G20 police operational commander, Assistant Commissioner Katarina Carroll. We will have vision from the airport, from the accommodation, and the venues for the entire weekend, to ensure the safety and security of world leaders. Access to the POC will only be granted to Queensland police and their partner agencies.