Key Takeaways
- An 18-year-old man has been arrested and charged with displaying a Nazi symbol in public and failing to obey police orders near a mosque in Perth’s south-eastern suburbs.
- The arrest was made as part of Operation Dalewood, a police operation aimed at increasing presence around places of worship in response to the Bondi Beach terror attack.
- The operation focuses on providing a "saturation" presence around places of worship, schools, and community organizations to combat antisemitism and other forms of hate.
- The WA Premier has indicated that there is no heightened threat in Western Australia, but police are taking a zero-tolerance approach to antisemitism and other forms of hate.
- A separate incident at the Masjid Al-Rahman Mosque in Gosnells is being investigated, where an offender poured non-flammable motor oil across the main entrance.
Introduction to the Incident
Police in Perth have arrested and charged an 18-year-old man who was allegedly spotted wearing a Nazi symbol near a mosque in the city’s south-eastern suburbs. The incident occurred on Tuesday at around 8:20am, when officers were conducting proactive patrols in the vicinity of a mosque on Mills Road West in Gosnells. The man was allegedly wearing a black face covering and a necklace displaying a Nazi symbol, which led to his arrest and subsequent charging with one count of displaying a Nazi symbol in public and one count of failing to obey police orders.
Operation Dalewood
The arrest was made as part of Operation Dalewood, a police operation launched by WA Police to increase their presence around places of worship in response to the Bondi Beach terror attack. The operation aims to reinforce a zero-tolerance approach to antisemitism and provide a "saturation" presence around places of worship, schools, and community organizations. Speaking on Monday, Police Minister Reece Whitby said that officers will provide as much support and assistance as possible to the New South Wales Police and authorities as they grapple with the aftermath of the terror attack. The operation will also involve covert and overt police security presence at places of worship and other locations.
WA Premier’s Statement
WA Premier Roger Cook has indicated that there is no heightened threat in Western Australia in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack. However, police are taking a proactive approach to combating antisemitism and other forms of hate. The Premier’s statement suggests that the authorities are taking a precautionary approach to ensure public safety, while also acknowledging that there is no specific threat to Western Australia. The police operation is aimed at providing reassurance to the community and deterring any potential hate crimes.
Separate Incident at Masjid Al-Rahman Mosque
Police are investigating a separate incident at the Masjid Al-Rahman Mosque in Gosnells, where an offender poured non-flammable motor oil across the main entrance in October. The incident is being investigated by the State Security Investigation Group, a division of the WA Police that deals with threats that are religious, racially, or ideologically motivated. CCTV footage of the incident has been released, but the police are not suggesting that the two incidents are linked. The investigation is ongoing, and the police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Conclusion
The arrest of the 18-year-old man and the launch of Operation Dalewood demonstrate the police’s commitment to combating antisemitism and other forms of hate in Western Australia. The operation aims to provide a safe and secure environment for people to worship and gather, and to deter any potential hate crimes. While there is no heightened threat in Western Australia, the police are taking a proactive approach to ensuring public safety and reassuring the community. The investigation into the separate incident at the Masjid Al-Rahman Mosque is ongoing, and the police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
