Former NSW Police Detective Superintendent Robert Critchlow has backed calls to review safety protocols for large malls, following the shooting of a machete-wielding man at Mt Druitt Westfield on Saturday.

Police were called to the rooftop carpark of the shopping centre following reports of a brawl just after 3pm, where they were confronted with a man holding a machete.

Officers said the man approached them with the weapon, prompting them to fire “a number of shots” at him. NSW Paramedics attempted to revive the man, believed to be in his 20s, but he later died.

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The Sydney Morning Herald later reported the fight broke out between two groups of women, after they crossed paths in the parking lot of the centre. One of the women is allegedly the wife of the deceased man.

The man retrieved a 50cm machete from his vehicle following the melee.

As the shooting unfolded, crowds of scared shoppers attempted to escape the mall.

Critchlow appeared on Weekend Sunrise on Sunday, where he backed a review of safety procedures for large malls.

“Something’s got to happen because we’re seeing regular incidents at very public places involving great levels of violence in Sydney,” the no-nonsense former cop said.

“In Adelaide, there was a major incident not long after Bondi Junction, which caused great concern and obviously this yesterday.”

Just 16 months after the Westfield Bondi Junction massacre, Critchlow argued communication in centres during times of crisis was a key element to safety.

“I’ve done a few reviews on some of these incidents, and communications is key,” Critchlow said.

“Often technology doesn’t keep up with what they could be doing with messaging (services in the centre), shops don’t speak to each other, and shops don’t speak to the centre (management) and vice versa because they’re so huge.

“These shopping centres are like small towns. So, systems need to be improved to increase the communication between the stakeholders.”

Despite major centres employing security services, Critchlow said extra police officers would make a massive difference.

“They have the powers to deal with people,” he said.

“They can search suspects. They can look for knives. They have wanding powers now (to find knives in public places) and the devices and training to safely use them.

“Security guards may not have that training, and they certainly haven’t got the powers to search people.

“So, police are crucial to this.”

The former cop gave a number of tips for concerned parents, who might be apprehensive about their children going to a mall.

“(Tell them) you’ve got to stick with your friends,” he said.

“Be aware of your surroundings. Let people know where you are, let your parents know where you are and make some good decisions when you’re in public spaces.”