Seven men aged 19–24 from Victoria were detained in Sydney after NSW Tactical Operations officers intercepted two cars amid information a violent act "was possibly being planned." The men have been released without charges, though inquiries continue and one individual had previously been subject to ASIO scrutiny. Authorities say there is no immediate risk, the men will be monitored, and NSW and Victoria police will continue to coordinate the investigation.
Seven Men Released After NSW Police Intercept Two Cars in Sydney Amid Probe of Possible Violent Plot
Police inspect at the scene of a shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Dec. 15, 2025.
Australian authorities have released seven men who were detained during a police operation in Sydney after information suggested a violent act "was possibly being planned." The men, aged 19 to 24 and from Victoria, are not currently facing charges, and inquiries remain ongoing.
On Thursday, New South Wales (NSW) Police said Tactical Operations officers intercepted two cars and took seven men into custody as part of an effort to prevent a potential attack. NSW Police issued a statement saying they "acted quickly to prevent the advancement of any plan" and that there is "no immediate safety risk to the community." Investigations will continue to review all available evidence.
Police walk on a street after a shooting incident at Bondi Beach in Sydney on December 14, 2025.
"It’s a balance when you investigate, for investigators and for the counter-terrorism police, as to interdicting at a point in time where you mitigate all risk and threat, which we did yesterday, or waiting until you can get a brief of evidence against individuals with a bow on it that you can present to court," said NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Dave Hudson.
Some media reports suggested the group had been travelling from Melbourne toward Bondi Beach, the site of a recent deadly shooting. After their release, one of the men denied those claims, telling reporters, "No, why would we go there? Too much headache… it was too far from where we were anyway," according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed the men — aged between 19 and 24 — will be monitored while in New South Wales and that NSW police will coordinate with their Victorian counterparts. Intelligence sources told the ABC that one man in the group had previously been the subject of an inquiry by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).
A woman kneels and prays at a flower memorial to shooting victims outside the Bondi Pavilion at Sydney's Bondi Beach, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, a day after a shooting.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan urged caution and warned against early speculation: "We’ve all seen the footage and the images of what has occurred and thank [NSW police] for their swift action. But at this stage, there was just not enough information to speculate on why these people were traveling in this vehicle in this vicinity."
Local outlets reported that one man described the incident as a "misunderstanding," saying the group told police they were "here for a holiday" and rejecting suggestions they held extremist beliefs. Authorities say inquiries remain ongoing as police and intelligence agencies continue to review evidence and monitor the released men.
Officials have emphasized that there is currently no immediate risk to the community and that any future updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
