Man charged after allegedly bomb threat to Al Faisal College’s new Lakemba campus

A man has been charged following investigations into alleged bomb threats made to a newly opened southwest Sydney Islamic school.

Police are investigating an alleged bomb threat against a southwest Sydney Islamic school.

A man has been charged following investigations into alleged bomb threats made to a newly opened southwest Sydney Islamic school last week.

On March 5, police attached to the Bankstown Police Area Command commenced an investigation into an alleged online threat made on a social media site.

The investigation came after Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Bilal El-Hayek noticed a comment stating “Kaboom” with three bomb emojis made to his social media post about Al Faisal College’s new Lakemba campus.

A comment stating "Kaboom" with three bomb emojis was made on a post about the school's grand opening. Picture: TikTok

Following inquiries, about 8am Thursday, March 13, police arrested a 53-year-old man at a home on Chisholm Cres, Bradbury.

He was taken to Campbelltown Police Station where he was charged with stalk/intimidate with intent to cause fear of physical harm and use of a carriage service to menace/harass/offend.

He was granted conditional bail to appear at Bankstown Local Court on Thursday, March 27.

Mr El-Hayek said he had been briefed by police following the arrest.

“I would like to thank the police for dealing with this matter as a priority and for keeping me informed along the way,” Mr El-Hayek said.

“I understand the man charged is unemployed, living outside our area and is prolific on social media.

“I also understand police have contacted the school’s principal and also given them certain assurances.

Mr El-Hayek added: “I urge those who post hurtful comments to think twice and consider the consequences and the harm they cause to their targets and the wider community.”

Mr El-Hayek previously told this masthead the online comments were “abhorrent”.

“The messages left on my social media are hateful and hurtful,” Mr El-Hayek said.

“What sort of person does this sort of thing?

“When I saw the comment, it made me feel sick that someone would spread fear to innocent children and the rest of the community.

“Targeting an educational institution is abhorrent and the school community deserves much better.”