"The sign has already worked ... because it's a talking point. And that's what it's for," he said.

"The wording of the banner was put out back in 1995 and I liked the wording when I was a sergeant then, and now that I have my own command, I still like the wording.

"It's not saying that we commit crime, let me assure you of that. Far from it. All we are saying is that we are responsible for crime."

Superintendent Peters said while the banners have been used at other community events in Marrickville, it attracted more attention this time due to the size of the festival, which according to Marrickville Council draws up to 50,000 people each year.

"We even had a lady from Wagga visiting and who came to the festival yesterday. She approached us and said, 'This sign's wrong' and we explain the idea behind it and she's gone, 'Ah, I see your point.'