SYDNEY POLICE FEAR MORE VIOLENCE TONIGHT

Police will be granted emergency powers in an effort to head off a repeat of the Cronulla violence. Police will be able to:

- declare lock-down zones

- confiscate vehicles

- shut down licensed premises

- impose temporary alcohol-free zones

Additional provisions:

- remove the presumption of bail for the offences of riot and disorder

- increase the penalty for riot by five years to 15 years in jail

- double the penalty for affray to 10 years in jail.

Expanded police powers might actually make the situation worse:

However, tensions show no sign of abating, with Islamic leader Fadi Abdul Rahman saying Muslim youths are angry that police appear to be treating them more harshly than "Anglos".

And things are already bad enough:

Last night bullets were fired at teachers' cars after men of Middle Eastern appearance abused parents and children at a school carols service in the multicultural Sydney suburb of Auburn, said Catholic Archbishop Cardinal George Pell.

It's also alleged that the violence has spread interstate:

Tonight there were also alarming signs racial tensions were spreading to other states.

An attack on a Middle Eastern family in Perth and on a Lebanese Australian taxi driver in Adelaide were linked to the Sydney tensions.

The Islamic Council of Victoria said vandalism of its Melbourne offices was retaliation for the Sydney violence.

And on the Gold Coast, mobile phone text messages targeting ethnic groups have called for people to attend a demonstration on Sunday and to start "cracking skulls".

Perth police disagree:

Superintendent Shayne Maines says they are still investigating whether the attack was racially motivated and whether it has been incited by the events in Sydney.

"Can't rule it out obviously until the investigation's complete," he said.

"This is obviously a very emotional issue but this has got to be dealt with in perspective.

"This is an isolated incident and we'll deal with it on its merit."

The Australian Islamic College says the attack does not reflect any widespread intolerance in the community.

Four of the family's children attend the College in nearby Belmont and missed some classes today.

The college's Yahya Ibrahim says the school's community sees the attack as an isolated incident.

"Belmont, in general, and Perth is a very beautiful city, very safe and secure city. WA has always had a great deal of pride in the harmony that we enjoy."

Good on ya, Mr Ibrahim. I'm glad he finds Perth safe and secure because I sure don't - not like 20 years ago, anyway.

Editing note: "Police have been granted" changed to "police will be granted".