Source : Perth Now news
A concerned community is receiving support after a 13-year-old’s alleged “attack plan” on a primary school was discovered by counter terrorism police.
Authorities on Friday addressed local “angst”, assuring residents of Maryborough, north of Brisbane, no further threats had been identified following the boy’s arrest.
Local parents are reeling after the teenager was charged with possessing violent extremist material in preparation for what police alleged was a planned attack on a Maryborough primary school.
The boy was arrested after allegedly threatening people with a knife at a Maryborough business on May 28.
“I can only imagine how the parents of the Maryborough community feel at this moment,” Superintendent Anne Vogler told reporters on Friday.
“We think that this is a type of offence that doesn’t occur in our backyard but it has.”
The boy’s bail application at Hervey Bay Children’s Court on Friday was adjourned until June 17.
He has been charged with preparation or planning to cause death or grievous bodily harm and possessing or controlling violent extremist material obtained or accessed using a carriage of service.
Counter terrorism police on Friday could not rule out further charges, revealing an “attack plan” had been identified in documents from a device seized during their investigation.
Acting Detective Superintendent Jason Hindmarsh, of the Counter Terrorism Investigation Group, did not provide further detail on the plan.
However, he stressed they were not referring to it as a terror attack.
“We have evidence that this youth did intend to cause serious harm to our community and that has been confirmed as a local school,” he said.
“But it is not being referred to or declared as a terrorism attack at this time.
“The community can be reassured … we have not identified any further threats to the community from our investigations.”
Supt Vogler said she understood the community’s concern over the boy’s arrest.
“I have been speaking to people and understand the angst in the community,” she said.
“I also understand that people are feeling uncomfortable and unsafe.
“I am doing everything I can to make sure that the community does feel safe and that we put strategies in place to ensure that safety.”
Police said they were working with other agencies, including the Housing, Child Safety and Youth Justice departments, on a response that protected the Maryborough community “and protects our children”.
The Education Department also launched a review, confirming the boy had not been enrolled at a state school.
“Any situation that threatens the safety and well-being of students or staff is treated extremely seriously and dealt with as a matter of priority,” a department spokesperson said.
“The department is aware of a threat made by a young person against a state school and is working with the Queensland Police Service regarding the matter.
“The department is deeply concerned about this matter and has commenced a thorough review into all relevant systems and processes to understand if and when earlier interventions could have been put in place.”
