By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS AND LACHLAN MOORHEAD
THE presidents of the Pakenham and Berwick RSLs have moved to reassure the local community after an alleged terrorism plot targeting Anzac Day services in Melbourne’s south-east was foiled by police.
Pakenham RSL president Gary Elliott urged people to treat this year’s commemorations the same as they would any other year.
“We have had no inkling of any issues like that in this area,“ he said.
Mr Elliott said police would be attending the Pakenham service, but not in any greater numbers than in previous years.
“I know the police will be attending, but it should be the same as any other year.“
Berwick RSL president Ray Heathcote said local Anzac services would go ahead as planned this Saturday and would not be affected by reports of the alleged terror attack.
“We always have safety in mind when organising these events each year,” Mr Heathcote said.
“So nothing needs to change this year – except maybe extra refreshments for the huge numbers expected to attend.
“All members of the community of all persuasions are welcome to our Anzac commemoration services.”
The reassurance comes as three teenage men were charged after a 200-strong joint state and federal police counter-terrorism team executed seven search warrants in Narre Warren, Hampton Park, Hallam and Eumemmerring on Saturday morning, as part of Operation Rising.
Police in Britain also arrested a 14-year-old in the UK on Saturday believed to be connected with the alleged Islamic State-inspired terror plot in Melbourne.
Reports surfaced this week that there was a terrorism plan involving possibly using a car to run over a police officer at an Anzac Day service, attacking the officer with an edged weapon and shooting with the officer’s firearm.
It has been suggested that it could involve a number of services in the south-east.
Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed on Tuesday that it would be alleged multiple Anzac Day services were potentially being targeted and that “edged weapons” were involved.
“That related to a specific threat to police members and by extension other members of the general public,” he said.
Mr Andrews urged Victorians to show strength and unity, and “shatter all records” at Anzac Day services on Saturday.
“Just as the police did us proud on Saturday morning (during the raids) I know and I am confident that Victoria Police will do everything possible to keep us safe.”
Following the raids on Saturday, Harun Causevic of Hampton Park and Sevdet Ramdan Besim of Hallam were charged with the federal offence of conspiracy to commit acts done in preparation for, or planning, terrorist acts.
Causevic, 18, had been placed in custody without charge for three days under a preventative detention order up until Monday night – the first time such an order had been exercised in Victoria.
A Narre Warren man, 18, has been released on summons for prohibited weapons charges.
Two other Narre Warren men, aged 18 and 19, have been released from custody.
Besim is scheduled to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday; Causevic will appear on 30 April.
Casey Mayor Mick Morland also urged the community not to be deterred from attending Anzac services on Saturday.
“I would encourage 100 per cent of the people to come out,” he said.
“It’s 100 per cent safe and I’ll be there with all of them as well.”
