AN investigation is underway after an Australian flag was found burning at the War Memorial in central Sydney today.

Police have now released CCTV footage of a woman they are hoping to identify as part of their investigations.

Emergency Services were called to the memorial in Hyde Park about 12.40pm following reports of a small fire inside the building.

They discovered an Australian flag had been lowered into the flame of remembrance causing the fire.

@ZJGarred MT @BuzzFeedOz: The Sydney War Memorial shut down after woman allegedly set the Australian flag on fire pic.twitter.com/lCDyfV3WOz — Angela Rynan Durrell (@Rowaenthe) October 1, 2014

The Australian flag has been set alight inside the War Memorial in Sydney's Hyde Park #2GBNews — 2GB News (@2GBNews) October 1, 2014

The incident was captured on CCTV and shows a woman of caucasian appearance, aged between 35 and 45, with light brown shoulder length hair. She was wearing a black and white dress with black long sleeves and ballet flats.

Officers have been searching nearby streets for the woman.

Superintendent Mark Walton told reporters this afternoon there had been no contact with the woman since the incident. Her motive was unknown.

He described it as a “malicious act” that could be dealt with under the Crimes Act.

Mr Walton said the memorial was dedicated to all Australians and it was “distressing” such a thing could happen.

The War Memorial was built in 1934 and hosts Sydney’s Anzac Day commemorations.

Minister for Veterans Affairs Victor Dominello and RSL NSW President Don Rowe have condemned incident.

“Not only is this criminal behaviour, its deeply disrespectful of the memorial and all it represents,” Mr Dominello said in a statement.

“It is deeply concerning that any person would seek to desecrate the Australian flag.

“Doing so on this sacred site makes it all the more reprehensible.” Mr Rowe urged members of the public to come forward with information.

“Veterans and their families will be outraged by this attack on a sacred monument dedicated to thousands of Australians who have fought and died for their country,” he said.

In some countries it is illegal to burn the national flag but it is not the law in Australia. The issue has been debated here for several years, usually after protests where the flag is publicly burned, but bills to make it illegal have been twice defeated.

Former Prime Minister John Howard said in 2006 he thought it was offensive and “despised’’ those who burned the flag but did not believe it should be made a criminal offence.

—with AAP

+Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/