Security sweep underway in Gallipoli

Earlier today thousands of Turkish troops and jendarmary - the local paramilitary police - were deployed across the peninsula. Some are armed with machine guns. Photo / Getty Images News

A three hour security sweep has begun at Gallipoli ahead of tomorrow's Anzac Day commemorations.

A convoy of black vans converged on the Anzac Commemorative Site (ACS) a few minutes ago to sweep the area for bombs or any other devices dangerous to proceedings or attendees, VIPs and dignitaries.

Big screens at the media centre, about 500m from ACS, have been live streaming the site but were blacked out as the sweep began. The words "sinyal yok", Turkish for no signal, are displayed.

Earlier today thousands of Turkish troops and jendarmary - the local paramilitary police - were deployed across the peninsula. Some are armed with machine guns.

Snipers have been spotted in the scrub around the main commemoration areas - ACS, Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair.

Soldiers and police with high security roadblocks are also positioned along the 25km route from Anzac Cove, near ACS to Cape Helles where the Commonwealth and Ireland memorial service will be held in a few hours.

Prince Charles and Prince Harry will attend that - and the other main services.
It is understood 4000 local troops will be bolstered by security forces from Australia, New Zealand and the UK.

Low flying helicopters have patrolled the peninsula with warships stationed in the Dardanelles.

Mounted police have also been spotted, increasing in number over the last few days.
Australian Veterans' Affairs Minister Michael Ronaldson told News.com.au that he was very satisfied with security arrangments.

"There is going to be a very, very significant Turkish security presence here, there will at least be 4000 Jandarma (Gendarme) and a number of Australian Federal Police have been here for a number of months now, so both the Turkish and Australian and New Zealand authorities are working very closely," he said.

"In some respects I don't think anyone will leave on Saturday and not thinking there is an appropriate level of security, there might be some that say there was too much, but I would much prefer to err on the side of caution with these things."