NSW Police Misclassified Numerous Incidents as Antisemitic, Review Finds
Sydney, Australia – October 11, 2025 – A recently completed internal review has revealed New South Wales (NSW) Police incorrectly categorised a “significant” number of incidents as antisemitic, possibly inflating reported hate crime statistics and misdirecting investigative resources. The findings, delivered too the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies on October 10, 2025, raise concerns about data integrity and the accuracy of public reporting on hate crimes in the state.
The misclassification stems from procedural errors in applying the legal threshold for antisemitism, leading officers to record incidents as hate crimes when they did not meet the required criteria. This impacts the perceived scale of antisemitism in NSW and could undermine genuine efforts to combat it, according to community leaders. The review was initiated following concerns raised by the Jewish Board of Deputies regarding inconsistencies in incident reporting and classification.
The review,conducted by the NSW Police Force’s Professional Standards Command,examined a sample of incidents recorded as antisemitic between October 7,2023,and june 2025. While the exact number of misclassified incidents remains confidential, sources familiar with the findings confirmed the number was “significant” and prompted a commitment to retraining officers.
“We acknowledge the concerns raised and are committed to ensuring the accurate recording and classification of all reported hate crimes,” a NSW Police spokesperson stated. ”The review identified areas for advancement in our processes, and we are implementing a complete retraining program for officers to address these issues.”
The retraining will focus on clarifying the legal definition of antisemitism, emphasizing the need for evidence of intent to incite hatred, and improving the consistent request of classification guidelines. The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies welcomed the review’s findings and the commitment to corrective action.
“We appreciate the NSW Police’s willingness to address these concerns and their commitment to ensuring accurate reporting,” said CEO of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, Darren Bark.”Accurate data is crucial for understanding the true extent of antisemitism and developing effective strategies to combat it. We look forward to working with police to implement the retraining program and ensure these errors are not repeated.”
The incident comes amid heightened global sensitivity surrounding antisemitism following the October 7, 2023, attacks in Israel and the subsequent conflict in Gaza. Accurate reporting of hate crimes is vital for maintaining community trust and ensuring appropriate responses to incidents motivated by bias. NSW Police have stated they will publish updated hate crime statistics reflecting the review’s findings in their next quarterly report, expected in December 2025.
