'Racist' attacks create tensions between India and Australia

Police noticed a high crime rate against Indians in Australia’s second largest city even before a public furore erupted over the issue and created tensions between Australia and India, a senior official said.

Indian students studying in Melbourne have called for more police action after a series of violent crimes led elements of the Indian media to brand Australians racist.

Chief Commissioner Simon Overland, head of the Victoria state police, said police were aware that criminals were targeting victims with Indian backgrounds for robberies “a long time before it hit the public”, but although over-represented among robbery victims, they were no more likely than others in Victoria to be assaulted.

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