‘Vile’: Man charged after allegedly defacing NSW Police Wall of Remembrance
The police minister has warned “morons” will be locked up over vandalism as officers arrested a 43-year-old man over the defacing of a memorial dedicated to those killed in the line of duty.
NSW
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A man has been charged after allegedly defacing the NSW Police Wall of Remembrance in Sydney’s Domain at the weekend.
Police arrested the 43-year-old in Glebe about 2pm on Monday following an investigation into the vandalism at the monument, which is dedicated to officers killed in the line of duty.
Police Commissioner Karen Webb said the man had been identified using CCTV footage after a “swift investigation”.
“This place means everything to us,” she said.
“It’s a place that we come to remember our fallen officers and the sacrifice that they made in the line of duty to keep our community safe.
“I imagine, looking at the damage, it will take a stonemason and a great deal of effort to repair.”
The man has been charged with destroying or damaging property and committing an offensive act on a war memorial or interment site.
He was refused bail and is set to face Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday.
Ms Webb said it was too soon to say whether the incident had any connection to other acts of vandalism around the city in recent days, including those at homes and synagogues in Newtown and Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
Police Minister Yasmin Catley warned “morons” who engaged in such acts of vandalism would be locked up.
“If you are out there committing these sorts of attacks, then I say to you be careful because you will end up in the clink just like the person who did this,” she said.
“This is a sacred place, and these attacks with these vile words are nothing short of disgusting.”
Police on patrol during Australia Day celebrations discovered the damage at midday the following day, prompting an investigation.
The vandalism included graffiti scrawled with the words “evil” and “dogs”, defacing the solemn memorial.
Authorities are now working with Sydney City Council to begin repairs.
Premier Chris Minns condemned the vandalism, labelling it “lower than low”.
“I’ve been made aware that the police monument in the Domain has been significantly vandalised,” he said in a statement.
“This is disgusting behaviour.
“Police put themselves in danger every day in the service of our state.
“To deface a memorial that commemorates police officers who have served the state and those who have lost their lives whilst on duty is lower than low.”
He also highlighted the extensive CCTV coverage around the Anzac Memorial, vowing to review security measures following the vandalism.
“There’s extensive CCTV around the Anzac Memorial,” he told 2GB’s Ben Fordham.
“I’ll have to look at that and ensure that we’ve got it, (and) I guess the appropriate level in place.”
“It’s also a big city. There’s some bad people that live in it. I am appalled by this, though. I just can’t believe someone would be so heartless to do it in such a special part of the city.
“We deliberately put the police memorial in the middle of Sydney in the Domain ... because it needs to be said that they won’t be forgotten.”
Ms Catley also said the site was sacred and “for it to be defaced is the lowest of acts”.
“Our police officers sacrifice their personal safety every day for our state,” she said.
“For that they should be celebrated, not subjected to vile attacks.
NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman also condemned the attack, labelling it a “disgraceful insult”.
“The desecration of the NSW Police Wall of Remembrance is a disgraceful insult to the men and women who gave their lives to protect our community,” he said.
“This is an attack on the values we hold dear as a state. Those responsible for this act of cowardice must face the full force of the law.”
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Originally published as ‘Vile’: Man charged after allegedly defacing NSW Police Wall of Remembrance
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