SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

Terror raids lead to man's arrest in Vic

A man has been arrested in counter-terror raids in Victoria, with police saying an "escalating threat" prompted them into action.

A Victorian Police badge
Counter-terrorism police have arrested a man after a series of raids across Victoria. (AAP)

2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Skip to article content

An "escalating threat" to the community has forced counter-terror police to raid numerous homes and arrest a man in Victoria.

Police say the 31-year-old man in custody was attempting to harm Victorians and producing documents that would incite people to harm others.

They would not confirm the man was a member of far right group Reclaim Australia, but said "the individual in custody has a number of affiliations to different organisations".

Counter Terrorism Command Assistant Commissioner Ross Guenther says there were growing concerns actions were escalating.

"The threat was specific enough to cause alarm in terms of the risk it would cause the community," he told reporters.

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.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Police executed four warrants across Melbourne and rural properties on Saturday.

Forensic investigators will be collecting evidence for the next 24 hours at the Braybrook address in Melbourne's west where the 31-year-old was arrested.

Mr Guenther said no other arrests were expected at this stage.

"There is no ongoing risk that we are aware of for the Victorian community," he said.

The man in custody is known to police.

Tip-offs from the community via the national security hotline were helpful in the joint investigation by Victoria Police and the Australian Federal Police.

"I'm very happy to say we've interrupted what could have been something that was quite serious in terms of harm to our community," Mr Guenther said.

No charges have been laid yet.


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world