Coronavirus: Two women targeted in 'racist spitting attack' in Marrickville

A teenage girl has been charged after allegedly spitting on and verbally abusing two women in Sydney's inner-west.

Police allege two sisters of Asian descent were at a pedestrian crossing on the corner of Illawarra Road and Petersham Road in Marrickville yesterday when they were allegedly approached by the teen who was yelling obscenities about their race and the coronavirus pandemic.

"Asian b----, you brought corona here," the woman can be heard saying in video footage witnesses took.

"F------ eat a bat again you dumb f----."

The teen allegedly tried to kick one of the women, before a bystander stepped in.

The man crossed the road to aid the sisters when they were allegedly spat on by the girl, hitting one of the women in the eye, before she walked in the opposite direction yelling more abuse.

"She had pretty good aim – it hit me like that, straight in my left eye," victim, Rosa Do told 9News.

"It got into my hair, my cheek, everything. I was flabbergasted when it happened."

9News understands that members of the public recognised the alleged culprit and gave her name to authorities.

Just after midday today, investigators attended a Marrickville address and arrested a 17-year-old girl.

She has been charged with three counts of common assault, using offensive language and two counts of attempting to stalk/intimidate.

"It was really horrifying – I really, really wanted to retaliate, I really wanted to hit back," Ms Do's sister Sophie said.

"It took everything in me not to."

The teen was given conditional bail to appear in Children's Court on May 1.

Earlier, NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller threatened to increase fines for people who spit and cough at others.

"If we see a continual incline of people spitting and coughing on people, then I won't hesitate in asking for [more] powers," Comm. Fuller said.

"You know maybe a $5000 fine will sharpen people up on this."

Comm. Fuller also told media police are not ruling out bringing in stricter measures for people who deliberately spit or cough on others, after revealing that they are arresting people daily for the offence.