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Armed police in Sydney detain seven men in dramatic operation
Officers responded to information that a ‘violent act’ was possibly being planned
December 18, 2025 14:53
Officers responded to information that a ‘violent act’ was possibly being planned
December 18, 2025 14:53Seven men have been arrested by heavily armed Australian police, who were responding to information that a “violent act” was possibly being planned.
The operation took place in broad daylight in the south-west Sydney suburb of Liverpool just four days after the terror attack at a Chanukah celebration on Bondi Beach that left 15 people dead.
Announcing that the operation had “concluded” New South Wales Police said in a statement: “A Tactical Operations police responded to information received that a violent act was possibly being planned. Police subsequently intercepted two cars as part of the investigation.
“As investigations continue, seven men are assisting police with their inquiries.”
“At this point in time, police have not identified any connection to the current police investigation of the Bondi terror attack.”
Reporting from the scene a journalist with Australia’s 7News said: “It was pretty shocking for onlookers here as an unmarked four-wheel drive slammed head-on into a Hyundai hatchback on Campbell Street.
“Tactical Response unit officers in camouflage gear and armed with high-powered weapons pulled five men out the car and quickly had them on the ground with their arms tied behind their back. They were then arrested.
“Another person was then pulled from a car and restrained by police in a nearby laneway.”
New South Wales Police received intelligence the individuals had travelled from Melbourne and were intending to go to Bondi Beach, according to Sky News Australia.
Australia’s Daily Telegraph reported that no weapons were understood to have been found in the men’s possession or in the vehicle. The newspaper quoted unnamed sources who said a high-level meeting involving counter-terrorism police was called shortly before the arrests were made.
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