Warning: This story contains offensive language.
NSW Police are investigating after a video allegedly showing two teenage girls hurling racist abuse and assaulting shoppers inside a Sydney supermarket spread rapidly across social media.
The footage, filmed near the self-checkout area of a Coles store at Burwood Westfield in the city’s inner west, is understood to have been recorded about 5.30pm on Tuesday, February 3, before circulating widely the following day.
In the video, the girls appear to confront customers believed to be of East Asian background as store staff attempt to de-escalate the situation and contact security. One of the teens is heard allegedly shouting: “All of you are putrid f…ing dogs,” while the confrontation later shifts towards an Uber Eats delivery driver, who is singled out with a racist slurs.
The situation escalates when a bystander intervenes. One of the girls is seen throwing a shopping basket towards the woman, continuing the verbal abuse, making offensive gestures and appearing to spit in the direction of the person filming.
NSW Police confirmed officers from Burwood Police Area Command have launched an investigation after becoming aware of the video. In a statement, police said the footage depicts “two females at a supermarket in a shopping centre on Burwood Road, Burwood”.
“Following inquiries, a 12-year-old girl was spoken to by police,” the statement said. “As inquiries continue, police are urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident or been the victim of an assault to contact Burwood Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
The clip drew widespread condemnation online after being shared by a Sydney community news account, attracting hundreds of comments criticising the behaviour and calling for those responsible to be identified. Several users questioned where the teenagers’ parents were, while others praised the woman who stepped in to challenge the abuse.
The account owner said the video had been submitted by a follower and suggested the teenagers may have been linked to other recent incidents caught on camera, though this has not been confirmed by authorities.
Burwood is home to a large Asian community and is widely recognised as one of Sydney’s most multicultural suburbs, with census data showing a significant proportion of residents identifying with Chinese heritage.
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