SYDNEY, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Police in the Australian State of New South Wales (NSW) have been continuing to investigate a racist graffiti that was found in a Sydney laneway.
Spray-painted at the back of a number of restaurants in the northwestern suburb of Epping, the markings depict nazi swastikas, vile racist threats and other white supremacist symbols.
Considered a multicultural hub, the area has a vibrant Asian and Indian community.
According to a spokesperson from the NSW Police, "when police found out about it, they contacted the local Council and they sent somebody out immediately to paint over it," the spokesperson told Xinhua on Friday.
While it remains unknown who is responsible for the graffiti, the spokesperson added that "subsequent inquiries indicate it had been there for several months and the owners (of the restaurants) did not report the incident to the police."
With authorities in the state already on high alert following the recent tragedy in New Zealand which saw an Australian man gun down 50 people in a racially-motivated attack, head of the NSW Counter Terrorism Unit Mick Willing said efforts to crackdown on right-wing extremism have been increasing.
"When there is an incident such as what has occurred in New Zealand we adjust our focus accordingly," he told News Corp.
"We monitor right-wing extremists and have done for a long time. We are also in constant communication with our interstate and federal partners, sharing information and intelligence."
