On January 31, 2025, police in New South Wales arrested a 37-year-old man for allegedly drawing Nazi symbols, including a swastika, on a wall in Kingsford, Sydney.

The incident took place around 4:30 PM on Anzac Parade, where officers observed the man using a marker pen to deface the wall.

He was charged under a law introduced in 2022 that prohibits the public display of Nazi symbols, which carries a maximum penalty of 12 months' imprisonment and/or an $11,000 fine.

Following his arrest, the man was taken to Maroubra police station, charged with displaying a Nazi symbol publicly without excuse, and was refused bail.

He is scheduled to appear in Parramatta Local Court on February 1, 2025.

This incident is part of a broader investigation into antisemitic hate crimes in Sydney's eastern suburbs, led by Strike Force Pearl, which was established in December 2024.

The NSW police have deployed 40 dedicated investigators to this strike force, which has already charged 11 individuals in connection with antisemitism-related offenses.

NSW police commissioner Karen Webb highlighted the importance of ensuring a safe environment for children and the Jewish community, promising that measures would be taken to bring perpetrators of antisemitic acts to justice.

In response to rising vandalism, police are conducting helicopter patrols equipped with high-powered lights, particularly around schools and synagogues in the area.

The graffiti incident appears to be linked to a recent discovery of a caravan filled with mining explosives in Dural, which contained a note referencing The Great Synagogue and The Jewish Museum as potential targets.

In a separate incident, graffiti was also found on an electrical box in Vaucluse, featuring a message that read, 'You wanna buy a caravan?'.

The Kingsford incident occurred while officers from Strike Force Pearl were conducting high-visibility patrols in the area.