MELBOURNE, 23 January 2023: The Victoria Police in a email response to a query by the South Asia Times (SAT), has said it is investigating reports of ‘political & racial slogans’ graffiti at temples in Mill Park, Carrum Downs and Albert Parks in the last few days done in the early hours of days. The police is investigating any ‘criminal damage’ at these locations, says the response.
The police in it response further said ” Victoria Police takes any political or racially motivated crime seriously, including in the form of graffiti, and we encourage anyone with information about this type of activity to report it to police.
Police will often engage with their local council to ensure the swift removal of any racist or offensive material when a report is made.
Prejudice-motivated crime undermines community harmony, reduces people’s perception of safety and makes people feel isolated.”
The Victoria Police response:
Mill Park
Police are investigating reports of criminal damage in Mill Park on Thursday, 12 January.
It is understood offenders graffitied a temple in Heaths Court in the early hours of the morning with what appears to be political and racial slogans.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, has CCTV footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Carrum Downs
Frankston Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating following reports a temple in Carrum Downs has been damaged by graffiti.
Police were made aware of the incident, on Wednesday 18 January, with the incident believed to have occurred sometime overnight between 15-16 January.
It is believed the damage includes graffiti slogans of what appear to be a political nature.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, has CCTV footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Albert Park
Police are investigating a report of criminal damage in Albert Park that occurred between 22 and 23 January.
Investigators were told a temple on Danks Street was graffitied overnight with political and racial messaging between 10pm and 4.30am.
The incident is currently being investigated.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or any suspicious behaviour, has dashcam/CCTV footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Arjun Sakha Das, representative ISKCON temple told SAT they had noticed the graffiti around 3.50 am today . His statement:
