Victoria Police set up Operation Park following the outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East

Victoria Police figures show a rise in hate crimes in the past three months, with 102 incidents described as anti-Semitic and 12 described as Islamophobic.

Police have investigated more than 100 anti-Semitic crimes in Melbourne since the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7.

Operation Park was set up after the outbreak of hostilities, amid concern about a rise in hate crimes.

Figures show there were 145 reports of alleged prejudice-motivated crimes that were “prioritised” by police.

Pro-Palestinian protesters were pepper sprayed in a chaotic clash with police outside a Caulfield synagogue.

Of those, 102 were anti-Semitic and another 12 were described as Islamophobia-related offending.

The rest were bracketed as miscellaneous, police said.

A total of 47 people have been arrested, 42 for anti-Semitic crimes.

The overall number included the performing of Nazi salutes, verbal abuse, assaults, criminal or wilful damage and using telecommunications services to menace.

Victoria Police figures show there have been 145 reports of alleged prejudice-motivated crimes. Picture: Nicki Connolly

Among those arrested were:

• Two men charged over an assault outside a Caulfield fast-food venue on November 10.

• A man who allegedly drove at pro-Israel supporters at a Caulfield rally on the same date.

• A man spoken to for posting anti-Semitic stickers in Caulfield on November 28.

• Two men charged over an assault in South Yarra which police later concluded was not prejudice-motivated.

A number of investigations are still running, including an inquiry into anti-Semitic graffiti sprayed in Caulfield late last month.

Deputy Commissioner for regional operations Neil Paterson said more charges were likely.

“We take any report of racial or religious-based crime extremely seriously and have already conducted more than 100 investigations,” Mr Paterson said.

Two men have been charged over an assault outside a Caulfield fast-food venue on November 10.

“Our engagement with the Palestinian and Jewish communities remains strong both through our proactive patrolling and our support of community events.”

Operation Park is used to centralise all data and intelligence collated on prejudice-motivated crime and also coordinates daily patrols of suburbs where incidents have happened.

Extra resources, including local police, detectives and the public order response team, have been called in recently to assist in the inner-southern suburbs.

Mr Paterson said there was no place in Victoria for hate crimes.

Everyone has the right to protest peacefully unless they are putting others in harm’s way. Victoria Police does not tolerate discrimination or victimisation, including that which is motivated by prejudice, racism or discrimination,” he said.

“Victoria Police will never condone anyone who attacks another person with differing views to their own.”

Originally published as Victoria Police set up Operation Park following the outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East