Man Arrested Following Public Report
New South Wales Police have charged a 36-year-old man for allegedly displaying hate symbol tattoos in public. The arrest, made under Operation Shelter, occurred on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at a home in Urunga, south of Coffs Harbour. This followed an investigation initiated after a report of a man at a Newcastle beach on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, whose tattoos allegedly depicted designated hate symbols.
The incident at the beach was reported by witness Ben Parsons, who observed the man at Bar Beach in Newcastle. Parsons stated that the man had a large 'white power' tattoo on his calf and the logo of the Schutzstaffel (SS), the Nazi regime's elite guard, near his ankle. Parsons reported the incident to Crime Stoppers, providing a statement to NSW Police and Operation Shelter.
Charges Laid and Court Appearance
The man was taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station where he was formally charged with 'knowingly display by public act Nazi symbol without excuse' and 'cause prohibited Nazi symbol to be displayed in public place'. He has been granted strict conditional bail and is scheduled to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
Context of Operation Shelter and NSW Legislation
The investigation falls under Operation Shelter, an ongoing public safety and policing initiative launched by the New South Wales Police Force in October 2023. Its objective is to enhance community safety, respond to protest activity, and reduce antisemitic and anti-social behaviour, as well as other hate crime activities. The operation has been significantly reinforced following recent events, including the Bondi Beach terror attack in December 2025.
New South Wales has specific legislation addressing the display of hate symbols. The Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) already included an offence for publicly displaying a Nazi symbol without reasonable excuse. Recent amendments, introduced by the NSW Government, have strengthened these laws. As of February 2025, new legislation increased the maximum penalties for displaying Nazi symbols, the Nazi salute, and prohibited terrorist organisation symbols from one year to five years' imprisonment, and imposed mandatory minimum sentences of 12 months for these offences.
Community Impact and Police Response
NSW Police have emphasized their commitment to taking hate crimes seriously and encourage anyone who is a victim or witness to report such matters. The strengthening of Operation Shelter underscores the police force's dedication to maintaining community safety and addressing incidents that threaten social cohesion in New South Wales.
5 Comments
Donatello
The goal of community safety and addressing antisemitism is crucial, and these charges are a clear statement. But we must also consider if jailing someone for displaying a symbol, without any overt act of violence, is the most effective way to combat radical ideologies.
Comandante
So now tattoos are illegal? Where does it end?
Bella Ciao
While hate symbols are abhorrent and cause real pain, there's a fine line between protecting vulnerable groups and policing personal expression. We need to ensure these laws don't become a tool for broader censorship.
Muchacha
It's good that police are taking hate speech seriously, especially after recent events. However, I worry about the precedent of arresting someone solely for tattoos, even offensive ones, and how that might impact other forms of expression down the line.
Bella Ciao
Glad to see Operation Shelter working. Keep our public spaces safe.