AFP commissioner’s warning after second Darwin teenager charged with terror offences
A second teenager from Darwin has been charged with terror offences within a week over alleged discussions that glorified mass casualty attacks on schools.
Police also allegedly found prohibited weapons in a search of the teenager’s home, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said on Wednesday.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Krissy Barrett gave a stark warning to Australians after the arrest of the teenager. Alex Ellinghausen
After the AFP charged a teenager for allegedly overseeing websites that shared violent extremist materials, its investigations continued.
This led to the search of a Darwin home on Tuesday, where items of clothing, documents, electronic devices and controlled and prohibited weapons were seized.
After looking at the documents and devices, police allegedly found material and discussions with a “mixed ideological motivation”.
This included content that showed a glorification of mass casualty events that would be carried out at schools.
A teenager was arrested, and has been charged with collecting or making documents likely to facilitate terrorist acts.
If the teenager is found guilty, they could face up to 10 years’ imprisonment.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Krissy Barrett said youth radicalisation could be the greatest challenge facing Australia.
Barrett said she wanted to have a “candid discussion” with Australians on the dangers facing young people and the threats radicalisation could pose to the country.
“In the current climate of fraying social harmony, we are seeing more disengaged, confused, resentful and sometimes violent young people,” she said in a statement on Wednesday.
“It is also coming at a time when many protective factors, such as support like family, sport, school, faith leaders, teachers, are eroding or are not there at all.
“These are the reinforcements that cocoon our young people from harm.”
She said social media was becoming a powerful tool to radicalise young people, and she said it would take a broad effort to stop the issue.
“Many youths want answers about contentious or polarising issues. So instead of asking a parent, teacher or coach, they look for answers online and are often siphoned to sites that peddle mis- and disinformation, or to chat groups or platforms that are violent, racist or are misogynist,” she said.
“If it used to take a village to raise a child, because of advances in technology, it now takes a country to keep them safe.
“This is not a problem law enforcement can solve on its own. This requires a whole-of-society effort.”
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