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Man charged over vandalism of Police memorial in Sydney’s domain

Police are now working with the Sydney City Council to repair the damage caused by the vandalism.

A man has been charged after the Sydney Police Memorial, which honours officers killed in the line of duty, was defaced with offensive markings over the weekend. The damage to the monument was discovered by police officers working at Australia Day celebrations on Sunday, prompting an immediate investigation.

The vandalism occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning, with the words “evil,” “dogs,” and other offensive symbols scratched into the stone memorial. The area was promptly cordoned off as a crime scene while authorities began their investigation.

On Monday, a 43-year-old man was arrested at Glebe Light Rail Station in connection with the crime. He was taken to Day Street Police Station and charged with destroying or damaging property and committing an offensive act at a war memorial or interment site. The man was refused bail and is scheduled to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday.

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45-year-old man was arrested on Monday, and charged later that evening; Image Source- NSW Police.
45-year-old man was arrested on Monday, and charged later that evening; Image Source- NSW Police.

The defacement of the memorial has sparked outrage among law enforcement officials, with both NSW Premier Chris Minns and Police Minister Yasmin Catley condemning the act. Premier Minns called the vandalism “disgusting behaviour,” emphasising the danger that police officers face daily in service to the state.

“Police put themselves in danger every day in the service of our state,” Minns said.

“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.”

Minister Catley echoed the sentiment, calling the act “the lowest of acts.” She also reaffirmed that the government would leave “no stone unturned” in finding those responsible for the vandalism.

45-year-old man was arrested on Monday, and charged later that evening; Image Source- NSW Police.
45-year-old man was arrested on Monday, and charged later that evening; Image Source- NSW Police.

“This is a sacred site which honours officers killed in the line of duty,” Catley said.

“For it to be defaced is truly abhorrent. Our police officers sacrifice their personal safety every day for our state—this is something they should be celebrated for, not subjected to vile attacks.”

The memorial, located at Sydney’s Domain, has been an important symbol of remembrance for police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their community. Police are now working with the Sydney City Council to repair the damage caused by the vandalism.

The defacing of the Sydney Police Memorial comes amid a string of similar attacks on statues and monuments in New South Wales and Victoria. In a related incident, a controversial monument at Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne was severely damaged, and a nearby ANZAC memorial was vandalized with red paint on Saturday. Additionally, a sandstone statue of British explorer Captain James Cook in Sydney’s Randwick was mutilated, with its hand and nose removed and the statue splattered with red paint.

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Vandalised Sydney Police Memorial: Image Source: NSW Police

Earlier in the week, the heads of two statues of former Australian prime ministers, Paul Keating and Kevin Rudd, were decapitated in the Ballarat Botanic Gardens, causing significant damage.

Authorities are working to address the rising tide of vandalism targeting public monuments and statues across the country, with police pledging to investigate every incident thoroughly.

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