World · East Asia & Pacific · 15 hrs ago
NT Catholic schools warn families of police presence during terror probe
Two teenagers in the Northern Territory have been charged with offences related to collecting or making documents that could facilitate terrorist attacks.
A teenage girl and, about a week earlier, a teenage boy appeared in the NT Youth Justice Court on the same charge.
Catholic Education NT warned families at 18 schools that they might see more uniformed police nearby.
The notice said the presence was a precaution and not a response to a specific or imminent threat.
Police are investigating allegations linked to material seized from a Top End home, which investigators said included the glorification of attacks causing mass casualties at schools.
Authorities have identified a number of schools during the investigation, but officials have said they were not aware of any real threat to safety.
Police will continue working with Catholic Education NT and may visit schools to gather evidence or speak with people.
Catholic Education NT warned families at 18 schools to expect an increased uniformed police presence during a terrorism investigation.
Two teenagers have been charged with terrorism-related offences within less than a week.
The education body said the police presence was a precaution and not a response to a specific or imminent threat.
Police are investigating allegations that include the collection or making of documents likely to facilitate terrorist attacks.
An Indigenous education advocate said uniformed police can make some Aboriginal children feel less safe.
- Who
- Catholic Education NT warned families and carers at 18 schools. Two teenagers have been charged.
- What
- Families were told to expect an increased uniformed police presence during a terrorism investigation.
- When
- The email was sent on Friday afternoon, just hours before school pick-up.
- Where
- Catholic schools across the Northern Territory.
- Why
- Police are investigating terrorism-related allegations and may visit schools to gather evidence. The increased presence was described as a precaution and reassurance measure.
Catholic Education NT
Lindon Coombes
Police presence
Catholic Education NT
CENT said it was a precautionary measure and not confirmation of a specific or imminent threat.
Lindon Coombes
Coombes said a uniformed police officer does not make every child feel safe, and can have the opposite effect for some Aboriginal children.
A teenage boy faced court charged with the same terrorism-related offence later charged against a teenage girl.
The teenage girl faced the NT Youth Justice Court charged with collecting or making documents likely to facilitate terrorist attacks.
The Australian Federal Police said authorities had identified a number of schools during the investigation, and a joint counter-terrorism team spokesperson confirmed material had been seized from a Top End home.
Catholic Education NT emailed families and carers at 18 schools warning of an increased uniformed police presence.
- Schools
- 18 Catholic schools across the Northern Territory
- Charged people
- Two teenagers
- Girl's charge
- Collecting or making documents likely to facilitate terrorist attacks
- Investigation
- Joint Counter Terrorism Team
- Seized material
- A Top End home
What people are saying
This is a precautionary and reassurance measure and should not be interpreted as confirmation of a specific or imminent threat.
at no point we were aware there was any real threat to safety.
A police officer in uniform does not make every child feel safe,
For some Aboriginal children, it can have precisely the opposite effect.