Police are investigating a caravan containing explosives after it was discovered in Sydney's north-west earlier this month. Photo: ABC News
NSW police are investigating whether explosives discovered in a caravan at a property in Sydney's north-west were intended for an antisemitic attack.
On 19 January, police were contacted about the caravan in Dural and discovered the explosives.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and ASIO are involved in the investigation.
NSW Police Deputy Commissioner David Hudson from the Investigations and Counter Terrorism team said there was some indication that the explosives "might be used in an antisemitic attack".
He said a message was found in the caravan that displayed antisemitic sentiments.
Police would not be drawn on the exact message, with Deputy Commissioner Hudson saying he did not feel it was appropriate to nominate the exact targets.
"I can say the amount of explosives is very real, and we need to take every threat at its absolute highest in this current environment."
He said the current threat was contained and there was "no information that there are further explosives in our community".
'A potential mass casualty event'
NSW police are investigating whether the explosives found - namely power gel - were potentially obtained from a mining site.
The explosives found had a blast zone radius of 40 metres in diameter.
Chris Minns described the incident as a "potential mass casualty event". Photo: ABC News
NSW Premier Chris Minns said the full resources of the state and NSW police "have been deployed to confront this very serious threat to our community".
"This is the discovery of a potential mass casualty event," he said.
"This would strike terror into the community, particularly the Jewish community, and it must be met with the full resources of the government."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese "unequivocally" condemned the act.
"The full might of the AFP, ASIO and NSW police are being utilised in this major investigation by the Joint Counter Terrorism Team," he said.
"Hate and extremism have no place in Australian society."
So far it has not be declared a terrorist incident, the premier confirmed.
Deputy Commissioner Hudson added that arrests "have been made on the periphery of this job".
"But we are still looking for assistance in relation to anyone who saw that caravan by the side of the road from December 7 to January 19 this year in Dural."
NSW police are liaising with Victorian and Queensland counterparts to explore potential links with events in other states.
Deputy Commissioner Hudson said the investigation was not part of Strike Force Pearl as of yet.
Strike Force Pearl is the specific operation established in December to investigate potential antisemitic-related crimes in Sydney.
-ABC
