NSW Premier Chris Minns has asked the Sydney community for patience as the police presence ramps up amid a spate of anti-Semitic attacks across the city.
Investigative resources under NSW Police’s Strike Force Pearl were doubled overnight, with 40 dedicated officers now deployed and an increase in taskings targeting criminal activity near places of worship and schools.
Speaking in Sydney on Saturday morning, Mr Minns said no stone would be left unturned as they worked to stamp out the increasing number of incidents, particularly in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
“It is deeply distressing this is happening in this state,” Mr Minns said.
“I never thought in Australia, in 2025, we would see this level of racism or anti-Semitism.”
Mr Minns added the increased presence would help stamp out anti-Semitism before actions begin, saying they need to “combat” the increasing attacks.
“We understand the community in NSW, particularly the Jewish community, are concerned about the rising attacks of anti-Semitism,” he said.
“Those who are going to commit hateful acts of violence, graffiti, malicious damage in our community will be met with the full force of the law.”
He said the NSW government would also be progressing its hate speech legislation into parliament.
“I’m of the strong belief that violent acts don’t begin with violent acts, they begin with hateful words at some point, earlier in the process,” Mr Minns said.
The Premier said he knew some residents of Sydney’s eastern suburbs were “unhappy” about the increased patrols and police presence, which included helicopters circling overhead.
“Please give us patience here and give the police as much latitude as they need right now – nothing could be more serious at the moment,” he said.
“They are investigating a very serious counter-terrorism investigation in the state.
“The implications, I don’t need to describe, but they are massive and we want a huge police presence at the moment.
“The high-profile nature of it is as important as catching someone in the middle of the act – it is a deterrence and it is a deterrence that we need right now.
“It may be an inconvenience to some families and households, (and) I genuinely apologise for that.”
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb confirmed a 37-year-old man was arrested in the city’s eastern suburbs after allegedly being caught “in the act” displaying a Nazi symbol, including a sticker and “other materials that were defaced and used”.
“This individual was (allegedly) caught in the act … I think it’s a demonstration of how active police are,” Mr Minns said.
It comes as police continue their investigation into a caravan that was discovered by a member of the pubic in Dural, an outer Sydney suburb, which was found to contain explosives and notes, including a list of Jewish targets.
Police said the explosives could have produced a 40m blast if detonated.
A home near a Jewish primary school and a shopping centre in Eastgardens were also among the latest targets of anti-Semitic attacks in Sydney.
“Children shouldn’t feel scared to go to school, people shouldn’t feel afraid to go to prayer or practice their religion,” Commissioner Webb said.
“The extra investigators under Strike Force Pearl means those who commit anti-Semitic acts will be caught and brought before the courts.
“I want to reassure the Jewish community that we will do everything we can to find the perpetrators of these hateful crimes.”
On Friday, NSW Police confirmed officers would begin patrolling Jewish schools in the state in a bid to protect students and teachers, and further attacks.
“This morning, the President of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, David Ossip, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb and the Secretary of the Premier’s Department, Simon Draper, met to discuss security issues related to Jewish schools and preschools,” premier Chris Minns said in a statement on Friday morning.
“The meeting was very productive and a number of measures were agreed.
“These include restoring high visibility policing at key times outside schools, in particular at drop off and pick up times.
“This is a return to the high-visibility policing measures introduced following the October 7 attacks in 2023.”
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