Advertisement
Opinion | Australia shooting highlights global rise in anti-police sentiment, from US to Hong Kong
- Citizens may be frustrated over political issues, such as lockdowns and vaccine laws, and their violent behaviour may be just frustration towards government
- Anti-police ideologies are also capturing the attitudes of those in society who are frustrated with how they perceive police to be conducting themselves
Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
3
In a horrific incident in Australia this week, two police officers and a member of the public were fatally shot in an ambush attack in Queensland. Another two officers were injured in the Monday night attack.
Advertisement
Our research shows attacks on police are increasing both in Australia and internationally, which may be a result of growing civil unrest.
Data before the Covid-19 pandemic revealed that civil unrest had doubled globally in the past decade, including an increase in violent riots and demonstrations. This tension between authorities and the public is thought to have intensified further during the pandemic.
Serious assaults against police appear to be more common and more violent, with recent protests (such as Black Lives Matter, anti-lockdown, and #defundthepolice) intensifying conflicts between sections of society and police.
For example, anti-lockdown protests produced the “most violent” protests in Australia’s Victoria state in 20 years, putting at least nine officers in hospital.
02:02
Sri Lankan students scuffle with police over jailed anti-government activists
Sri Lankan students scuffle with police over jailed anti-government activists
Rise of ‘anti-police’ sentiment
Advertisement