A teenage boy has been charged in Western Australia following an alleged online threat to a mosque at Edmondson Park.
Officers from Liverpool City Police Area Command commenced an investigation after reports an online threat had allegedly been made towards the Australian Islamic House, a religious centre located on Camden Valley Way.
Following a referral, the Western Australia Police Force State Security Investigation Group arrested a 16-year-old boy just before 5pm Perth time yesterday (Tuesday).
The teen has been charged with creating false apprehension to the existence of threats or danger.
He was granted conditional bail to next appear before a local children’s court on Friday, April 4.
Police say there is no ongoing threat to the community.
“The NSW Police Force takes hate crimes seriously and encourages anyone who is the victim of a hate crime or witnesses a hate crime to report the matter to police through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or through Triple Zero (000) in an emergency,’’ they said in a media statement.
The alleged threat was condemned by local community leaders, including Liverpool mayor Ned Mannoun.
He issued a media statement yesterday: “Only a few days ago our local community gathered to celebrate in joy the opening of the Australian Islamic House, a mosque building project 25 years in the making.
“Today, that joy has been replaced by fear with the threat of a mass murder attack copying the chilling events of Christchurch in 2019 when over 50 innocent worshippers were murdered whilst praying,’’ he said in the statement.
“An attack on one faith is an attack on all faiths.’’
The member for Werriwa, Anne Stanley, said there is no place for hatred or Islamophobia in Australia.
“The community deserves to feel protected in a place that should be a safe space for Muslims to join in unity and pray. I ask the community to remain vigilant during this time and continue to live in peace and harmony with ourselves and those around us,” the Labor MP said.
