NT Catholic school parents warned of police presence amid terror probe
Parents of children at Northern Territory Catholic schools have been warned to expect an increased police presence after two teenagers were charged with terrorism-related offences within a week.
Parents at Northern Territory Catholic schools have been warned of an increased police presence as part of a terrorism investigation. Two teenagers have been charged with terrorism-related offences within a week of each other. A teenage girl faced court on Wednesday for allegedly collecting or creating documents that could facilitate terrorist attacks, following a similar charge against a teenage boy a week prior.
Catholic Education Northern Territory (CENT) informed families and carers of the 18 affected schools via email, stating that police assistance had been provided since the investigation began. The increased police presence is described as a precautionary measure and not a confirmation of an imminent threat. Catholic leaders are urging the community to maintain calm and unity, with Bishop Charles Gauci emphasizing the need for support in helping young people navigate online content responsibly.
CENT's Paul Greaves emphasized transparency and reassurance, stating that no real threat to safety was known. However, some Indigenous education experts have expressed concerns about the potential triggering effect of police presence on First Nations students. National Justice Project CEO George Newhouse stressed the importance of community trust in addressing youth radicalisation, suggesting that additional police presence should be limited and subject to ongoing review.
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