Anti-terror raids: Fears of community unrest after officers swoop on alleged beheading plot

Updated

Officials say they are concerned about possible public disorder in the wake of this morning's huge anti-terrorist raids in Sydney and Brisbane.

A senior law enforcement source has told the ABC this morning's raids took place because of "specific and detailed" information about a threat to the public.

"There was a declining acceptability of risk," the source said.

But authorities are now concerned about possible public disorder as a result of the arrests and the revealing of details of an alleged plan to carry out a public beheading.

Officials are especially worried because many English-speaking senior Muslim community leaders are overseas on religious pilgrimage.

"The people who normally calm down the hotheads are not here," the law enforcement source told the ABC.

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An increased police presence is likely today in southwest Sydney as a precaution against community unrest.

One man is expected to be charged as soon as today with conspiracy to murder. Another man may be held under extraordinary powers for extended detention without charge.

The ABC has been told that several suspects with links to Islamic State have been under surveillance for some time.

The law enforcement source noted that several Australians now in Syria or Iraq had moved into leadership roles in Islamic State.

"They are building an army of disassociated people," the source said.

The source added that there were other Australians who were minded to travel to the Middle East to fight but either frustrated by having their passports cancelled or fearful of not being able to return.

Some had instead looked for ways to pursue their fight at home, the source said.

The raids were carried out the Joint Counter-Terrorism Taskforce (JCTT) which consists of members of the AFP, ASIO, the NSW police, and the NSW Crime Commission.

Topics: police, law-crime-and-justice, australia, nsw, qld

First posted