Man charged after allegedly arrested with knives and distributing manifesto

A 19-year-old walked into a NSW politician’s office before he was arrested allegedly in possession of multiple knives and a ballistic vest. Police will also allege he distributed an manifesto making threats toward Labor Ministers

Tim Crakanthorp (centre) at his Newcastle office. Photo: Instagram

A teenager who allegedly walked into a Labor MP’s office with knives and a ballistic vest has been charged with terrorism offences.

Jordan Patten, 19, from Raymond Terrace was arrested by NSW Police Counter Terrorism officers after he allegedly went to Newcastle member Tim Crakanthorp’s office making bizarre statements and rants.

Police allege that while on the train to Newcastle, Patten distributed a 200-page manifesto with threats towards Labor ministers.

He was charged last night with offences under the terrorism act and refused bail.

He will face Newcastle Local Court on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp, said in a statement, confirmed the man had entered his office before the arrest.

“I understand that there was an incident in Newcastle today,” he said.

“I have spoken with police and they are managing the situation and have assured me that nobody was harmed.

“I have been advised that the individual briefly walked in and out of my office. He left before making any contact with my staff.”

Tim Crakanthorp at Newcastle train station. Picture: Instagram

The man, 19, was arrested shortly after midday at Workshop Way in Newcastle — near Mr Crakanthorp’s inner-city office — after police received a concern for welfare report.

Police confirmed following the arrest there was a document, understood to be an anti-Semitic manifesto, which was circulated to media figures.

“Following a subsequent search police located a number of items which have now been seized,” NSW Police said in a statement.

“The teenager was taken to Newcastle Police Station.

“Following further inquiries officers became aware of the existence of a document that had been circulated to a number of public figures and media outlets.

“The male is currently assisting police and there is no ongoing threat to the community relating to this investigation.”

Police will allege the boy was in possession of “tactical equipment” – understood be a ballistics vest – and more than two knives.

Premier Chris Minns spent the day in the Hunter but wasn’t in the inner-Newcastle suburb when the man was arrested.

It’s understood the teenager, who is of caucasian background, suffers from mental health issues.

It was revealed last week the Australian Federal Police had begun work with autism experts in an attempt to reduce the growing number of young people with the disorder being radicalised by extremists on the internet.

The AFP had seen an increase in people under 16 “on a path to radicalisation” or “demonstrating concerning behaviours” since July 2021.

NSW Deputy Police Commissioner David Hudson also warned earlier this week that young people were being exposed to extremist views online, telling The Daily Telegraph “with the advent of youth radicalisation, we needed to really have a good look at it in conjunction with mental health”.

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