21-year-old hit with terrorism charges following incident at Miranda Westfield

A 21-year-old man who police allege had “mixed and unclear ideological beliefs” has been hit with terrorism- related offences.

A 21-year-old man which police allege had “mixed and unclear ideological beliefs” has been charged with allegedly preparing or planning for a terrorist attack, following an incident at a popular Sydney Westfield.

Emergency services were called to the south Sydney centre about 2pm on July 25 following reports a man was allegedly throwing bottles inside a bathroom.

At the scene, officers quickly arrested the 21-year-old man, and seized a knife, a bottle and other items following a search.

He was initially charged with possess in public place non-firearm for discharging irritant, custody of knife in public place – first offence, and leave/send substance/article create false belief danger, before he was taken to hospital for the treatment for a minor injury and assessment, and placed under police guard.

A 21-year-old has been hit further terrorism-related charges following an incident at Miranda Westfield earlier this week.

While the incident did not require an evacuation of the shopping mall, police did seize a number of bottles for further forensic analysis.

Continued investigations by the Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) resulted in the execution of a search warrant at a home in the south Sydney suburb of Loftus, where police allegedly found and seized electronic devices, mobile phones and chemicals.

On Thursday, the man was further charged with an additional two Commonwealth offences including knowingly collect/make document connected with terrorism (S. 101.5 Criminal Code) and to act in preparation/planning for terrorist act (S. 101.6(1) of the Criminal Code.

A statement from NSW Police said police will allege the man had “mixed and unclear ideological beliefs”.

He remains on remand and is next set to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on September 25.

Following the extra charges, police reiterated calls for people with information about “extremist activity or possible threats to the community” to come forward “no matter how small or insignificant you think the information may be”.

“The National Security Hotline is 1800 123 400,” they said.