Protesters are being warned not to go to rival rallies over a proposed mosque in Melbourne, with police fearing violence in the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks.
The right-wing Reclaim Australia group will rally on Sunday to oppose the construction of a mosque in Melton, and left-wing pro-diversity protesters plan a rival rally on the same day.
Rival protests in recent months in Melbourne and Bendigo ended in violence.
"We're concerned about the extreme views," Assistant Commissioner Stephen Leane told 3AW on Friday.
"Both the pro and anti groups, there's some amongst them that are quite prepared to resort to violence to quell the views off others."
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Comm Leane says people are still coming to terms with the violence in France last weekend.
"I think the atmosphere that I can feel in the community is that there is a bit of grieving but there's also a bit of fear, and people are not sure what happened in Paris actually means for them," he said.
"I'd suggest that this weekend's probably not the weekend to come to Melbourne if you're not sure."
Police were tipped off this week that some people planned on taking weapons to the Melton rally for self-defence.
It resulted in the arrest on Thursday of Phillip Galea, 31, who has been charged with possession of a prohibited weapon and one count of possessing a prescribed chemical.
During a search of his home, officers allegedly uncovered five tasers, a jar containing a small amount of mercury, a copy of The Anarchist Cookbook, a large amount of information about how to manufacture explosives and political material related to the right-wing United Patriots Front.
The 31-year-old labourer is due to face court on Friday.
Reclaim Australia has pledged a peaceful protest in Melton.
