Two men have been charged after they were accused of spraying an unknown substance across Sydney’s Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park, an act that prompted an urgent police investigation and public consternation.
Police said the incident took place just after midday on Thursday, when witnesses observed two men applying a liquid across sections of the memorial’s walls and steps. One man was alleged to have targeted the eastern walls and northern steps while the other focused on the southern steps, police said.
Detectives from the Sydney City Police Area Command launched an investigation following the reports. Less than 36 hours after the alleged vandalism, both men, each aged 61, attended Auburn Police Station and were arrested after turning themselves in, authorities said.
They have been charged with wilfully damaging or defacing a protected place and with destroying or damaging property with a value believed to be between $2,000 and $5,000. Police allege the substance caused "permanent" staining to the memorial’s stonework.
Witnesses in the park reported watching the pair complete the alleged actions and then walk away together. Police spoke to bystanders as part of their inquiries, and officers have been examining the extent of the staining and any mitigation or conservation measures required.
The Anzac Memorial, located in central Hyde Park, is a heritage-listed monument that commemorates Australians who served and died in wars and conflicts. Acts of vandalism at such sites often draw strong public reaction and typically prompt swift response from law enforcement and heritage authorities.
Police said inquiries remain ongoing and additional charges could be laid depending on the results of forensic testing and further investigation. No court appearance or bail conditions were immediately disclosed by police.
Anyone with information or footage of the incident has been asked to contact Sydney City Police Area Command or Crime Stoppers. Authorities reiterated that protected monuments are subject to specific legal protections and that damage to heritage structures can require specialist restoration work.
The matter is being handled by detectives from the Sydney City Police Area Command, who continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged defacement and the nature of the substance used.