Nazi swastika graffitied on Emerald Police Station

Police in Melbourne have become the target of a frightening hate crime as tension mounts at authorities during the state’s sixth lockdown.

Cops in Melbourne’s outer east have become the victim of a frightening hate crime after a swastika was drawn outside a police station.

Victoria Police have confirmed the vandalism incident occurred at Emerald police station in the Dandenong Ranges on August 29.

A police spokesman said an investigation had been launched after the “offensive graffiti” was put on a sign post out side the station.

A photo of the sickening graffiti was posted to Facebook along with the caption “I think we’ve all had enough”.

Emerald police station was vandalised by a Nazi swastika on August 29, 2021. Picture: Facebook

The Facebook post has since been deleted.

Anti-Defamation Commission chairman Dvir Abramovich said the vandalism was one of the most “outrageous acts” he ever seen.

“This is a hate crime, pure and simple,” he told NCA NewsWire.

“To deface a police station with the world’s most evil symbol, representing the extermination of six million Jews and millions of others, is one of the ugliest and most outrageous acts I have seen.

“This brazen outburst of extremism is beyond shameful and crosses so many red lines that it must be met with the strongest condemnation possible.

Emerald police station was graffitied with a Nazi swastika (file image). Picture Norm Oorloff

“The men and women of law enforcement, specifically in Emerald, who put their lives on the line every day to protect us, deserve better than being labelled Nazis.”

Dr Abramovich said no matter how a person felt about Covid-19, equating any action with Hitler and the Holocaust was “wrong and abhorrent”.

“Words matter and can lead to violence, and I hope that those individuals, who took the time to deliberately express their vicious bigotry are identified and prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” he said.

Earlier this year, a parliamentary committee recommended the Victorian government establish a criminal offence that prohibited the display of symbols of Nazi ideology, including the swastika.

Premier Daniel Andrews has indicated the government would support action to outlaw the use of Nazi symbols.

Police said the investigation was ongoing and anyone with information was urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Originally published as Nazi swastika graffitied on Emerald Police Station