Public urged to attend Anzac Day events
An alleged terror plot targeting Anzac Day should not deter people from turning out to commemorate the sacrifice of Australian soldiers, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews says.
“I would hope as many Victorians as possible will be at the Shrine of Remembrance and other Anzac Day services right across our state, in the hope that we can properly commemorate those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” Mr Andrews said.
Two of five teenagers arrested in pre-dawn raids in Melbourne on Saturday remained in custody on Sunday while the other three were released pending further inquiries into an alleged attack targeting police on Anzac Day.
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Sevdet Besim, 18, from Hallam, was charged with conspiring to commit a terrorist act and was remanded in custody to appear in court again on Friday.
Police applied for a preventative detention order (PDO) in relation to another 18-year-old man from Hampton Park.
It’s the first time a PDO – allowing police to detain a person for up to 14 days – has been used in Victoria, Mr Andrews said.
Mr Andrews and some cabinet members were briefed last night by senior police on the operation that led to the arrests.
The premier praised police work “… our police have done an outstanding job in being able to take into custody these people and put a fence around this group of individuals”.
He also said the incident, “as troubling, as frightening as it might be, as sickening as it might be does show all of us that the systems we have in place are in fact working”.
Security measures would be significantly increased in the week leading up to and on Anzac Day, he said.
“The Victorian community can rest assured that Victoria Police in cooperation … with the Australian Federal Police and other security agencies are putting in place on Anzac Day the best arrangements, the best possible arrangements to keep Victorians safe,” he said.
Mr Andrews said he would be at the Shrine of Remembrance with his family before going to the Anzac Day clash at the MCG.
He urged others to continue with plans to commemorate Anzac Day.
“Let’s all come together on Anzac Day and show that we do prove worthy of the sacrifice that so many made so many years ago,” Mr Andrews said.
Dubbed Operation Rising, more than 200 heavily-armed officers swooped on the city’s southeast about 3am on Saturday, executing search warrants in Narre Warren, Hampton Park, Hallam and Eumemmerring, arresting the men and seizing knives and swords.
A third 18-year-old, from Narre Warren, will be charged on summons with weapons offences.
Two other Narre Warren men, aged 18 and 19, have been released pending further inquiries.
Community attend Anzac Day commemorations
Prime Minister Tony Abbott called on Australians to turn out in large numbers on Anzac Day, despite the raids.
Australian War Memorial director Brendan Nelson has reassured the community that the appropriate security arrangements are in place for Anzac commemorations in Canberra.
A house in Hallam, Melbourne, that was raided by police during the counterterrorism operation. Photo: ABC
“There is no reason for anyone, other than physical incapacity, not to attend the dawn service, the national service at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra,” he said.
“We’re confident based on the advice we’ve been given, all of which we have taken, that the security arrangements are appropriate for the threat risk that we understand is the case.”
Representatives of the RSL, Shrine of Remembrance and the Islamic community have spoken to Mr Andrews.
He has updated them on Saturday’s events and on the extra security measures for Anzac Day.
Mr Andrews will also meet with Jewish leaders.
Meanwhile, British police say they are reviewing security for their own Anzac Day commemorations in the UK.
While Scotland Yard said there was no information to suggest a specific threat to any of the events, all forces have been asked to review their security arrangements as a “sensible precaution”.
“Following counterterrorism arrests in Australia and allegations of attack planning against Anzac Day commemorations and police officers in Australia, we are reviewing security plans at related events in the UK,” deputy assistant commissioner Neil Basu said.
A number of Anzac Day commemorations will be held in the UK next weekend, some of which will be attended by members of the Royal family.