A BRITISH teenager linked to the Australian teens behind the alleged Anzac Day terror plot has been arrested on suspicion of preparing for an act of terrorism.

Police allege the teenager, a 14-year-old from the northwest city of Blackburn, was a “credible terrorist threat”.

Officers from Britain’s North West Counter Terrorism Unit uncovered the communication between the Blackburn teenager and a man in Australia.

The information was passed on to Australian authorities, including Victoria Police, and led to the Operation Rising raids last Saturday morning in which police arrested five teenagers in Melbourne over alleged plans to target police at a World War One centenary event.

It is not clear which of the five Melbourne teens arrested in the counterterrorism raids had been communicating with the British teenager.

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Detective Chief Superintendent Tony Mole from the North West Counter Terrorism Unit, said the British teen had been arrested on April 18 on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism, and remains in police custody.

“We have uncovered communication between an individual in the northwest and a man in Australia to what we believe is a credible terrorist threat,” Supt Mole said.

“As soon as this information came to light we acted quickly with the relevant authorities here and abroad. The nature of the communication is currently under full assessment and subject to investigation.”

The boy was known to police. On April 2 he had been arrested on suspicion of preparing for an act of terrorism.

A 16-year-old girl from Manchester was arrested on April 3 for “engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorist attacks”.

Her arrest came 24 hours after the boy’s, and her phone and computer were also seized by police in the raid.

She and the boy were bailed until May 28.

She was not rearrested and press releases from British and Victorian authorities last night did not mention her charge.

Her mother had earlier played down the incident to the Manchester Evening News.

“I am not sure what happened. I think she might have been playing a joke with a friend,” the mother said.

Victoria Police statement said in a statement: “The nature of the communication will form part of the investigation and therefore it would be inappropriate to comment further.

“The Melbourne Joint Counter Terrorism Team maintains strong links with authorities across the world and it is this collaborative approach and commitment to our security which will ensure the safety of the Australian public.”

kate.mcmahon@news.com.au