NSW police investigate neo-Nazi and white supremacist tattoos spotted at Newcastle’s Bar Beach
NSW Police are investigating an alleged public display of Nazi symbols after a man with extremist tattoos was reportedly seen on a popular Newcastle beach on Christmas Eve.
The incident occurred at Bar Beach, where local man Ben Parsons said he encountered a person bearing tattoos linked to white supremacist ideology, including symbols associated with the Nazi SS.
In a post shared on Facebook, Mr Parsons said the encounter took place just a week after the Bondi terror attack and said the tattoos were openly “flaunted” in a public space frequented by families.
“On Christmas Eve I encountered a neo-Nazi at Bar Beach in Newcastle with my family,” Mr Parsons said.
He said the tattoos contained references to “white power” and the Schutzstaffel (SS), the Nazi regime’s elite paramilitary organization responsible for atrocities during the Holocaust.
Mr Parsons said he reported the matter to Crime Stoppers, shared the photos and has since worked with NSW Police and Operation Sanctuary, the task force overseeing the response to antisemitic incidents following the Bondi attack, in the hope the case will test strengthened hate symbol laws.
In his Facebook post, Mr Parsons dismissed concerns about identifying himself publicly and stated that silence was no longer an option.
“Several people have asked me if I’m worried about my name appearing in media reports. No, I’m not worried,” he wrote.
“In my view, the period of worrying about the Nazis ended on April 30, 1945. We need solidarity and unity, and the Nazis should also worry about us, not the other way around.”
NSW Police have confirmed an investigation is ongoing after receiving a report on December 24 about a man whose tattoo allegedly featured a hate symbol banned in the Newcastle City Police District.
Public display of Nazi symbols has been illegal in NSW since 2022; Further offenses were introduced late last year following a series of anti-Semitic incidents, including a rally outside the state parliament.
Under Section 93Z of the Crimes Act, a “public act” includes conduct that involves the wearing or display of symbols, signs or emblems observable by the public; This definition may also include visible tattoos.
Police did not file charges and said investigations were ongoing.
