Top cop to call on INTERPOL to help fight neo-Nazi surge

The head of the Australian Federal Police will call on her counterparts around the world to share information about noted neo-Nazis and other hate groups to help prevent their footprint in Australia increasing.

Commissioner Krissy Barrett will attend the 93rd INTERPOL general assembly in Morocco this week, where she will meet with more than 20 law enforcement leaders from around the world.

"I will also ask relevant partners to share more information about hate groups, including Nazi supporters, and to provide advice from their lessons learned over the years," she said.

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"Safeguarding Australia's social cohesion is a key priority, and the AFP will disrupt and act against offenders who damage our social fabric and create hatred, division and violence targeted at marginalised communities."

She said the AFP would "step up" its involvement with INTERPOL amid increasing global instability.

"INTERPOL is an incredibly important strand in our national security framework, and it ensures the AFP is connected to the world, which is being tested by grey zone warfare and outright aggression,'' Barrett said.

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The AFP will also ask international partners to help crack down on illicit tobacco trafficking to Australia, which Barrett said was affecting the broader Pacific region.

"Australia's insatiable appetite for dangerous and addictive illicit commodities, even during years of cost-of-living pressures, continues to create significant pressure in our suburbs," Barrett said.

"And it is unfortunate that to meet this demand, organised crime is using the Pacific as a transit point to get to Australia.

"This is impacting on the health of Pacific Island communities and attracting organised crime within the region.

"The AFP will stand side-by-side with Pacific police organisations to combat organised crime and that includes ensuring they have access to international databases that can help keep criminals out of their countries and identify and remove offenders."

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