Behind the scenes of Operation Shelter, with NSW Police targeting antisemitic attacks across Sydney
Dozens of officers, helicopters and patrol cars scan the streets of Sydney's eastern suburbs ready to intercept antisemitic attacks before they happen.
The ABC has been given access to a night of patrols with officers working under NSW Police Force's Operation Shelter, hunting anyone potentially planning another act of vandalism.
The night on Thursday started with a briefing and officers were given their mission for the night.
Superintendent Grant Healey provided a rundown to his team of officers attached to Operation Shelter and Strike Force Pearl, informing them what they should be on the lookout for.
NSW Police has been investigating hate crimes with an antisemitic focus, under their latest protective measures in Sydney's east. (ABC News)
"Somebody who ducks into an alleyway when we're not looking are the people that we want to target," he told about a dozen officers.
"Be mindful these people are watching us as well, so it's that stuff you see out of the corner of your eye."
Operation Shelter has been in force since October 8, with NSW Police investigating hate crimes with an antisemitic focus.
Since the operation's beginning, police have has arrested 191 people, charged with 479 offences, with over 38,200 patrols conducted.
They're currently doing about 300 patrols each day.
Resourcing for this protective strategy was returned to its highest level from December following recent antisemitic vandalism across Sydney, and Strike Force Pearl was announced.
NSW Police said they are patrolling at-risk locations, including schools and places of worship. (ABC News)
Its predominant role has been to investigate and prevent antisemitic hate crimes across Sydney, but they've also been patrolling other at-risk locations, including mosques.
Some were in marked patrol cars, others were in unmarked vehicles, designed to maintain the element of surprise for those who were trying to avoid them.
One cohort of officers was tasked with patrolling a certain area, while another was given a confidential list of locations to visit.
Since October 2024, there have been at least nine antisemitic attacks across Sydney, including Newtown, Allawah, Dover Heights, Woollahra and Maroubra.
'It's about community reassurance'
During the night's operation, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb made a surprise appearance.
Commissioner Karen Webb joined the force's patrol on Thursday night. (ABC News)
Commissioner Webb rode in the back seat of a patrol car as two of her constables did their rounds.
"Tonight, there's quite a few crews on given the events of the last few days," she said, standing on a street in Potts Point.
"We've been out patrolling some of the high schools and schools and here at the local shopping centre.
"It's about community reassurance. We talk to members of the community and if they pass on information or if they've got concerns about particular areas then we can respond to that."
She explained why Sydney's east has been a core focus for Strike Force Pearl.
"Our concentration has been in this area recently … because of intelligence and the evidence of the number of attacks we've had here.
"We react to what the evidence and the intelligence says. Right now, this community needs us."
On Friday night, that community heard the police chopper flying overhead, getting a bird’s eye view of any suspicious activity around potential target areas.
They also remain on-call throughout the night to deploy heat-seeking technology to help track any potential offenders fleeing a scene.
On the lookout for suspicious activity
On the ground, officers visited all the synagogues and Jewish schools in the area, chatting to their private security guards and nearby locals.
NSW Police said they were liaising with private security guards at synagogues across Sydney's east. (ABC News: Lia Harris)
They were looking for any signs of suspicious activity — a car idling nearby, suspicious items left in conspicuous places, or any signs of attempted forced entry around the properties.
For Superintendent Healey, exactly what they're looking for is hard to describe, but it involves some intuition.
"Something that's just generally out of place," he said.
"Somebody sitting somewhere they're not supposed to be… if it's a warmer night, somebody who's got a hoodie on."
Highway Patrol cars were tasked with canvassing the main arterial roads into the eastern suburbs, using number plate recognition to detect any vehicles with red flags attached.
Assuring the community has been a focus. (ABC News)
But it's not just suspicious cars they're on the lookout for.
"Some of the people have arrived on public transport, they've been on e-scooters," Superintendent Healey said.
"We've even had some people on e-bikes."
With a heavy police presence in the area throughout the night, some suspicious cars were stopped and searched, a few infringement notices were issued, but no significant arrests were made.
Most importantly, there were no further attacks.
But police have vowed to continue these patrols 24 hours a day until the attacks stop completely and the community can rest easy again.
"We're visible, we're responsive to their needs and if they call us, then we'll be here," Commission Webb said.