Two Girls Arrested Following Racist Supermarket Outburst in Sydney
Two young girls have been arrested after they were captured on video engaging in a physically violent and racially charged tirade inside a Coles supermarket in Burwood, Sydney. The disturbing incident, which occurred at approximately 5:30 PM on Tuesday, involved the girls hurling racist slurs and throwing shopping baskets while targeting staff and customers.
Violent Confrontation Captured on Video
Bystanders filmed the two girls as they moved through the store, specifically in the self-service area, where they were seen abusing employees and other shoppers on their way out. One of the girls, aged 12, allegedly harassed a store employee, while the other, aged 13, reportedly accosted an Uber Eats delivery worker who was exiting the premises.
In the footage, one girl was heard shouting, 'All of you motherf**** are putrid f***ing dogs,' with the other adding, 'Especially you, you fat f***.' After being told to leave by another customer, the younger girl allegedly directed a racist slur towards them, saying, 'Come outside you Asian sl**... motherf**er,' before throwing a Coles basket at the woman.
Police Investigation and Arrests
The video was subsequently posted on social media, where it quickly garnered attention. Burwood Police Area Command launched an immediate investigation into the incident. On Thursday, both girls were arrested at a home in Glebe, located in Sydney's inner-west.
The 13-year-old girl has been charged with intimidation, common assault, and offensive language. The 12-year-old will be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act, which focuses on rehabilitation for minor offences committed by young people.
Community Response and Condemnation
Detective Chief Superintendent Christine McDonald of Burwood Police emphasized the seriousness of the incident, stating, 'We want everyone in our community to feel safe and from the moment police received the footage, we knew we had to act fast to identify those involved.' She added that young people engaging in such behaviour must be held accountable, as actions captured on social media can have lasting impacts on their futures.
The man who uploaded the video to social media warned the local Asian community in Burwood to report the girls' behaviour to authorities, captioning the footage with a call to action. In the video, one girl was also seen allegedly spitting multiple times towards the person filming.
Statements from Coles and Uber
A spokesperson from Coles strongly condemned the incident, stating, 'Coles does not tolerate abuse or antisocial behaviour in our stores. We're proud of our team for their calm, professional response in attempting to de-escalate the situation and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of other customers and team members.'
An Uber spokesperson confirmed they were aware of the footage and are investigating the matter, particularly as an Uber Eats delivery worker was among those targeted during the altercation.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about youth crime and racial harassment in public spaces, prompting discussions on community safety and the consequences of such actions in the digital age.
