The NSW Police Force has officially doubled the investigative resources of Strike Force Pearl as officers increase their proactive patrols of schools, places of worship and communities across Sydney in the wake of multiple antisemitic attacks.
On Tuesday 21 January 2025, NSW Police Force Commissioner Karen Webb APM announced the increase of investigators under the Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Command led Strike Force Pearl in the wake of multiple antisemitic arson and graffiti incidents across Sydney.
Overnight, that increase of resources came into effect with 40 dedicated investigators being deployed to Strike Force Pearl.
Police have also increased the number of taskings under the strike force with the goal of disrupting criminal activity around places of worship and schools.
As strike force detectives continue to investigate these incidents Operation Shelter taskings will now come under Strike Force Pearl as police focus their attention on antisemitic behaviour.
NSW Police Force Commissioner Karen Webb APM said that Strike Force Pearl will now be the primary taskforce dealing with these hateful attacks and that the current ten arrests will undoubtedly rise.
"Children shouldn't feel scared to go to school, people shouldn't feel afraid to go to prayer or practice their religion."
"The extra investigators under Strike Force Pearl means those who commit antisemitic 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." Commissioner Webb said.
"Over 37,000 taskings have been undertaken by Operation Shelter since October 7, 2023, and these numbers will continue to rise under Strike Force Pearl as we continue to crackdown on this vile antisemitic behaviour.
Strike Force Pearl was established in December 2024 by officers attached to the Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Command – with support provided by Central Metropolitan Region – to investigate hate crimes with an antisemitic focus across Sydney.
A total of 10 people have now been charged under Strike Force Pearl,
Four men – aged 31, 37, 40 and 26 – have been charged following fires at two businesses in Bondi in October 2024,
Three men – aged 20,19 and 21 – have been charged after 10 vehicles and buildings were allegedly deliberately damaged in Woollahra in November 2024,
A woman – aged 34 – has been charged after vehicles and buildings were allegedly deliberately damaged in Woollahra in December 2024, and now,
Two men – aged 33 and 37 – have now been charged after a building in Newtown was allegedly graffitied and attempted to be set alight.
The NSW Police Force takes hate crimes seriously and encourages anyone who is the victim of a hate crime or witnesses a hate crime to report the matter to police through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or through Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.
It is important that the community and police continue to work together to make NSW a safer place for everyone.
