Northern Territory Catholic schools warn parents of increased police presence after two teens charged over terrorism-related offences

Parents at Northern Territory Catholic schools have been told to expect an increased police presence after two teenagers were charged with terrorism-related offences within a week. Catholic Education NT (CENT) wrote to families at 18 schools across the territory just hours before pick-up on a Friday afternoon, saying it had “assisted police and relevant authorities since the commencement of the investigation” into the terrorism allegations.

A teenage boy faced court on one charge of collecting or making documents likely to facilitate terrorist attacks. A week later, a teenage girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faced the NT Youth Justice Court on Wednesday on the same charge.

In the letter, which the ABC has seen, CENT director Paul Greaves said the additional police presence was not a response to “a specific or imminent threat” and that “appropriate safeguarding measures” were in place. He urged the school community not to “speculate about the allegations, identities, motivations and potential outcomes.” He wrote that “in some circumstances you may notice an increased uniformed police presence around your school,” and that police would continue to work closely with CENT.

On Wednesday, Australian Federal Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Adam Rice said authorities had identified “a number of schools” during the Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) investigation. The same day, a JCTT spokesperson confirmed that detectives had seized material from a Top End home which allegedly revealed a “mixed ideological motivation.” Church leaders have described the police presence as “precautionary” and said that “at no point we were aware there was any real threat to safety.”

Bishop of the NT Charles Gauci called for calm and urged the community to come together to help reduce the risk of radicalisation. Church leaders have called for unity during the investigation, a call to live together in peace (Psalm 133:1). Bishop Gauci said that, with technology changing rapidly, children needed support in their formative years now more than ever.

Bishop Gauci said social media literacy is key to addressing youth radicalisation.

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