A teenage boy has been arrested and charged with alleged terrorism offences in the Northern Territory, as authorities grapple with a rise in radicalisation.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) said police received a tip-off via Crime Stoppers earlier this month about violent extremist material believed to have been posted online by an Australian user.
Police, NT Counter Terrorism Teams and ASIO began an investigation into the boy, from Darwin, and found he had multiple social media accounts where he allegedly “accessed, discussed, and reposted violent extremist material”.
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During a search warrant issued on Wednesday, police found documents and multiple electronic devices, which allegedly contained violent extremist material and referenced violent attacks.
Some of the devices found allegedly contained blueprints for making 3D-printed firearms, plus other instructional documents and manuals which police said could be used to assist in planning a terrorist act.
The teen boy was charged with multiple offences including one count of collecting or making documents likely to facilitate terrorist acts.
If found guilty, the maximum penalty for the offence is 10 years’ imprisonment.
He is scheduled to appear in children’s court on Thursday October 29.
Rising concerns around young people
AFP Counter Terrorism Commander Paula Hudson said her team were becoming “increasingly concerned” about the number of young people coming to their attention.
“It is well-documented that terrorists and violent extremists use the online environment to radicalise vulnerable individuals, and technology is enabling this to occur a rapidly increasing rate,” she said.
“The speed and scale of radicalisation is becoming one of our most significant challenges, especially when it comes to young people.”
Hudson said that it was up to all of society to help protect and keep young people safe from “radicalisation and manipulation”.
“Without a serious intervention, the risk is our justice systems, mental health systems, education systems and financial systems will become overwhelmed by youth victims and perpetrators,” she said.
Northern Territory acting commander Mark Grieve praised the joint agency response, but said the offence was “deeply concerning”.
“It is deeply concerning to see allegations of this nature involving a young person, particularly where violent extremist material and information about the manufacture of firearms is alleged to be involved,” he said.
What are the warning signs?
The AFP said recognising early signs of change can help guide young people away from extremist behaviour and open up alternative pathways to safe and supportive environments.
Signs a person may be susceptible to radicalisation include:
- Distancing themselves from their usual friends and family members
- An increase in the extremist nature of their rhetoric or propaganda they propagate
- A child using hateful or emotionally charged language
- Developing a fixation on conspiracy theories or contentious social issues
- Displaying extreme reaction to certain news or politics, or
- Spending increasing amounts of time in fringe forums on the internet.
If you suspect someone is being radicalised online or in person, call the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400.
For anonymous reporting, visit the Crime Stoppers website or call 1800 333 000.
