Man arrested for vandalising NSW Police Wall of Remembrance in Sydney

A man has been arrested in inner Sydney on Monday afternoon after the NSW Police Wall of Remembrance was vandalised.

Several markings were scratched into the monument at The Domain that honours officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. The words "dogs" and "evil" were scratched above the rows of listed officers and the NSW Police emblem.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said damaging a place "sacrilege to officers" was "despicable", and that she was thankful for the efforts of investigators.

"A short time ago, officers arrested a man at Glebe, and he's currently in custody at Day Street Police Station," Commissioner Webb said at a press conference.

Officers out on patrol for Australia Day celebrations saw the markings about 3:15am on Saturday and commenced inquiries. Commissioner Webb said the investigation had relied on evidence gathered from the surrounding area, but it was too early to tell if the 43-year-old man had acted alone "on the basis of his own feelings about police, or it's linked to anything else."

"I think this individual, I think the words that have been portrayed and the damage done, obviously has these personal views. And I'll look forward to see whether he says anything when he's had the opportunity to be interviewed and he's before the court."

The man has not been charged.

Sydney City Council is assisting police with fixing the wall, which the Commissioner believed would take a "stonemason a great deal of effort to repair".

"I don't know whether it [the wall] is repairable or it will have to be replaced," she said.

Premier Chris Minns said he was aware of the vandalism. "This is disgusting behaviour," he said in a statement. "Police put themselves in danger every day in the service of our state. To deface a memorial that commemorates police officers who have served the state, and those who have lost their lives whilst on duty is lower than low."

Police Minister Yasmin Catley told ABC Radio Sydney the vandalism was "absolutely disgusting" and "unacceptable". "To deface it [the Wall of Remembrance] in this way with such vile terms makes me feel sick to my stomach," she said.

When asked about the slew of monuments, statues and property being defaced in recent months, Ms Catley said she could not "explain why people do these things". Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said the desecration of the wall was "a disgraceful insult to the men and women who gave their lives to protect our community". "This is an attack on the values we hold dear as a state," he said. "Those responsible for this act of cowardice must face the full force of the law."