Woman charged after allegedly drawing Nazi symbol

A 48-year-old woman has been charged after allegedly drawing a Nazi symbol on a poster in Sydney’s inner west.

Police were called to Burrows Avenue, Sydenham, about 1pm on Friday 27 March 2026, following reports of the offensive image. Officers from Inner West Police Area Command arrested the woman about 50 minutes later on Illawarra Road, Marrickville. Police allege a search of the woman found a knife, an electronic stun device and offensive tattoos.

 

She was taken to Newtown Police Station and charged with two counts of knowingly displaying a Nazi symbol by public act without excuse, two counts of possessing or using a prohibited weapon without a permit, and one count of being armed with intent.

The woman was initially refused bail when she appeared in court on Saturday, 28 March, but was later granted conditional bail. She is due to appear at Newtown Local Court on Tuesday 31 March.

The charges come amid a series of recent cases under New South Wales laws banning the public display of Nazi symbols.

Two Sydney men appeared in Parramatta District Court on 27 March charged with performing Nazi salutes at a Hyde Park rally in October 2025. Earlier this month, a 30-year-old man from regional NSW was charged by the Australian Federal Police over the alleged online display of a Nazi symbol alongside threatening posts.

In December 2025, a man was charged after allegedly displaying Nazi tattoos at a Newcastle beach, while another case in Lake Macquarie involved a prohibited symbol displayed on a boat.

Last week, a swastika was scratched into the window of Lox in a Box bagel deli in Paddington.

The NSW Government strengthened the laws in late 2025, increasing penalties and expanding police powers to remove Nazi symbols. Offences can carry jail terms and fines of up to $22,000.

Police inquiries into the Sydenham incident are continuing.