Counter-terrorism police are investigating anti-Semitic incidents at Sydney synagogues

Anti-terrorist police have taken over all investigations into anti-Semitic incidents at Sydney synagogues.

NSW Police were called to Georgina Street in Newtown, In Sydney’s inner west on Saturday, red swastikas were reportedly painted along the fence of a synagogue.

Warning: This story contains images of Nazi symbols.

Photos released by police show two people, one of whom is riding a bicycle, wearing light-colored shoes, black hoodies and dark clothing near the building.

Police Commissioner Karen Webb said officers are looking for two people they believe were involved.

Several red swastikas painted on the wall — Several red swastikas were painted on the front of the place of worship. (ABC News: Anushree Sood)

Commissioner Webb said the pair used a “clear liquid” to light the fire, which went out after three minutes.

“Some sort of accelerant was used and that, in my opinion, is an escalation in the level of crime,” she said.

“(The investigation) is a concerted effort to make sure that all of these issues are given attention, due diligence, to use every avenue.”

The Counter-Terrorism Command has taken over the investigation and will be assisted by the National Crime Agency and local officers.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb speaks to the media — Karen Webb says the incident was an escalation. (AAP: Bianca de Marchi)

The police believe that the residents of the community know who these two people are.

“I would urge anyone who knows who committed these heinous crimes to come forward and tell the police who they are,” Commissioner Webb said.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said the use of an accelerator at a synagogue was a cause for concern not only within the Jewish community but also in the wider community.

“This is an escalation of anti-Semitic crime in New Wales,” Mr Minns said.

“Police and the government remain very concerned that an accelerant may have been used in Newtown on Saturday morning.”

“There is no justification for such racist, anti-Semitic, targeted attacks on members of our community.”

Appeal for information about the Allaha incident

Authorities are also appealing for information about a separate incident of anti-Semitic graffiti at Allawa Synagogue in Sydney’s southern suburbs on Friday.

NSW Police have released images of the people they believe are involved in the incident and are appealing for information.

A man wearing a hoodie and sunglasses. — Police are looking for two people involved in the incident in Allawa. (Supplied by: NSW Police)

“There is someone in society today who knows who this person is. You have a responsibility to report it to Crime Stoppers or the NSW Police,” Mr Minns said.

In a statement, the president of the Jewish Council of Deputies, David Ossip, said that the Jewish community remains “impervious” to attempts at intimidation.

“This was an unfortunate act of terrorism that endangered the safety and property of residents sleeping peacefully in their homes near the synagogue,” Mr. Ossip said.

“We are working closely with the NSW Government and Police and welcome the significant additional resources that have been committed to investigate this case and other recent anti-Semitic hate crimes.”