Key Takeaways
- The NSW Police has conducted over 2600 taskings as part of Operation Shelter to combat antisemitism and hate crimes.
- The operation was established in October 2023 to reduce antisemitic and anti-social behavior and other hate crime activity.
- 18 people have been charged with 34 offences associated with Operation Shelter since its establishment.
- The operation aims to keep the community safe and ensure they feel safe, while also monitoring and responding to any potential risks to NSW.
- Operation Shelter has been strengthened since the Bondi Beach terror attack, with an increase in support and resources.
Introduction to Operation Shelter
The NSW Police has been actively working to combat antisemitism and hate crimes through Operation Shelter, which was established in October 2023. The operation’s primary goal is to reduce antisemitic and anti-social behavior, as well as other hate crime activity, and to keep the community safe. According to Assistant Commissioner Stephen Hegarty, the main purpose of Operation Shelter is to ensure that the community feels safe, while also monitoring and responding to any potential risks to NSW. The operation has been a significant undertaking, with officers conducting over 2600 proactive taskings since the Bondi terror attack.
The Scope of Operation Shelter
Operation Shelter is a comprehensive operation that involves coordinating the gathering of intelligence and responding to protest activity. The operation has been strengthened since the Bondi Beach terror attack, with an increase in support and resources. Officers have conducted patrols of specific locations, including Bondi Beach, places of worship in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, inner west, and Sydney’s west, as well as aged care facilities and hospitals. The operation is not limited to these locations, as officers are also monitoring any potential risks to NSW and conducting proactive taskings within the community. This approach has led to the charging of 18 people with 34 offences associated with Operation Shelter, demonstrating the operation’s effectiveness in combating hate crimes.
Incidents and Arrests
One notable incident involved a 20-year-old man who allegedly sent out a call to action on social media, urging protesters to attend a beach in Sydney’s south and intending to incite violence. The man was later charged with using a carrier service to menace, harass, offend, and publicly threaten violence on grounds of race or religion. He was refused bail and appeared before Gosford Local Court. This incident highlights the importance of Operation Shelter in monitoring and responding to potential hate crimes, and the need for continued vigilance in combating antisemitism and anti-social behavior.
The Importance of Operation Shelter
Operation Shelter is a crucial initiative in maintaining social cohesion in NSW. As Assistant Commissioner Hegarty stated, "We won’t tolerate any behaviour that threatens social cohesion in NSW." The operation demonstrates the NSW Police’s commitment to keeping the community safe and ensuring that everyone feels safe. The fact that officers have conducted over 2600 taskings across more than 3200 shifts since the Bondi terror attack is a testament to the operation’s scope and scale. The charging of 18 people with 34 offences associated with Operation Shelter is a clear indication that the operation is having a positive impact in combating hate crimes.
Conclusion and Future of Operation Shelter
In conclusion, Operation Shelter is a vital operation that has been established to combat antisemitism and hate crimes in NSW. The operation’s primary goal is to keep the community safe and ensure they feel safe, while also monitoring and responding to any potential risks to NSW. With the operation’s strengthening since the Bondi Beach terror attack, it is clear that the NSW Police is committed to maintaining social cohesion and combating hate crimes. As Assistant Commissioner Hegarty stated, Operation Shelter will remain in place as long as it’s needed, demonstrating the NSW Police’s ongoing commitment to keeping the community safe.
