Burwood Coles: Police investigate viral footage of alleged racist abuse by teens
Police are investigating after a viral video appeared to show two teens unleashing racist abuse during a chaotic supermarket confrontation.
Warning: This story contains offensive language.
A video showing two teenage girls allegedly directing racist abuse and assaulting shoppers at a Sydney supermarket is under police investigation after spreading rapidly online.
The footage, filmed inside a supermarket at Burwood Westfield in Sydney’s inner west, is understood to have been recorded about 5.30pm on Tuesday, February 3.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.It began circulating widely on social media the following day.
The video appears to show the girls confronting customers near a self-checkout area, targeting people believed to be of East Asian background while staff attempt to manage the situation.
“All of you are putrid f...ing dogs,” one girl screams as a Coles staff member appears to be attempting to contact security.
The footage then shows the teens focusing on an Uber Eats delivery driver, with one girl singling him out before using a racist slur The Nightly will not publish.
When a bystander intervenes, the confrontation escalates.
One of the girls is seen throwing a shopping basket in the woman’s direction while directing further abuse. The teen then uses a derogatory term referencing the woman’s Asian background, tells her to “come outside,” gestures offensively and appears to spit toward the person filming.
Warning: This story contains offensive language.
NSW Police confirmed officers are investigating the incident.
“Officers from Burwood Police Area Command have commenced an investigation after being made aware of a social media video of an incident occurring about 5.30pm on Tuesday (3 February 2026),” a statement by NSW Police read.
“The video depicts two females at a supermarket in a shopping centre on Burwood Road, Burwood.
“Following inquiries a 12-year-old girl was spoken to by police.
“As inquiries continue, police are urging anyone who may have witnessed this incident or have been the victim of an assault to contact Burwood Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
The video drew a strong reaction online after being shared by a Sydney community news account, prompting hundreds of comments condemning the behaviour and calling for those involved to be identified.
One said it was “beyond filthy” and asked where the teen’s parents were and what they would think of their actions.
“Their parents must be proud,” commented one user.
Others praised the woman who stepped in during the confrontation.
“Well done for speaking up”.
The account owner said the clip had been submitted by a follower and suggested the teenagers may have been involved in other recent incidents also captured on video, though this has not been confirmed by authorities, News.com.au said.
Burwood is home to a large Asian community and is widely regarded as one of Sydney’s key multicultural precincts. Census data shows a significant proportion of residents identify with Chinese heritage.
The incident comes amid ongoing national conversations about racial abuse in public spaces. The 2026 Human Rights Watch World Report, released this week, warned that racial and ethnic discrimination is increasing in Australia, including racism directed at Asian communities.
