NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione wore a grave face as he addressed the media after Sydney’s Anzac Day Dawn Service this morning, making known the arrest of a 16-year-old in the advanced stages of an alleged terror attack on the city’s commemorations.
He was apprehended by counter terrorism police near his Auburn home on Sunday night, after which he was charged with one count of preparing for, or planning a terrorist act.
Not much else is known about the planned attack – police are unsure which Anzac Day event was to be the target, or maybe just aren’t saying – but Scipione said that it was far enough along to pose an immediate threat to community safety.
“Officers were forced to act yesterday afternoon. We had to do that in order to ensure the safety of the community,” he said.
“Clearly we’ve taken that action with community safety on the eve of the sacred day which is Anzac Day.”
The boy is believed to have been acting alone, though there was an “online component” to the allegations against him.
Police presence for Anzac Day commemorations across Sydney has been stepped up in light of the attest, with Scipione confirming the police won’t be leaving “anything to chance.”
Keep going about your business but, as always, report anything sus to the National Security Hotline on 1800 1234 00.
Source: Sydney Morning Herald.
Photo: ABC News.
