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Sydney teens charged over 'imminent' terror plot had links to ISIS

Police allege the two 16-year-old boys who have been charged with terror related offences had links to an Islamic State terror group and were preparing to commit an "imminent" attack.

The western Sydney school boys were arrested outside a prayer hall in Bankstown on Wednesday.

They have both been charged with preparation to commit a terrorist act, which carries a maximum of life imprisonment, and with being members of a terrorist organisation.

The teen was seen sitting in a gutter during his arrest. Photo: 7 News/Supplied
The teen was seen sitting in a gutter during his arrest. Photo: 7 News/Supplied

Police allege the teens purchased bayonet-style knives from a Bankstown gun shop and were allegedly using them to carry out a beheading attack.

One of the boys is reportedly the son of a convicted terrorist, according to The Daily Telegraph

They are to appear before Parramatta children's court.

NSW Police Force Acting Commissioner Catherine Burn told reporters that they believe the attack was imminent but claimed authorities did not have specific information about the intended target.

"We will be alleging this attack was inspired by Islamic State," she said.

"I think that this arrest again demonstrates the type of environment that we are currently faced with."

An investigator appeared to record the arrest on a mobile phone. Photo: 7 News/Supplied
An investigator appeared to record the arrest on a mobile phone. Photo: 7 News/Supplied

Deputy Commissioner Mike Phelan from the Australian Federal Police said the age of the teens is "concerning".

"We have been saying for a long time now that primary for all of us is about public safety and we will act as soon as we have enough information to be able to disrupt any activity."

One of the boys is already known to counter-terrorism police and he was reportedly questioned as a 14-year-old over an incident at East Hills Boys High where he refused to stand for the national anthem.

The same teen attended the 2012 Hyde Park Riots holding a sign reading: “Behead all those who insult the prophet”.

Police arrested the teens behind a mosque in Bankstown. Photo: 7News/Supplied
Police arrested the teens behind a mosque in Bankstown. Photo: 7News/Supplied

During Wednesday's arrest, one teenager was filmed sitting in a gutter in a back alley behind a local mosque, surrounded by members of the Joint Counter-Terrorism Team.

An investigator appeared to record him on a phone, as the 16-year-old ranted.

One local man said he witnessed the arrest.

“He was just talking about some Sharia law and said some terrorism act and some weapons,” Syed Irfan Ali said.

“He spoke about some weapons but I’m not sure what weapons. Unfortunately I was stuck in the street and I was a bit panicked and scared."

The teens allegedly purchased bayonet-style knives from a gun store. Photo: 7 News
The teens allegedly purchased bayonet-style knives from a gun store. Photo: 7 News

Family members visited the police station, searching for answers.

“I don't know if they have knives, that's what they're claiming but I don't know if that's correct,” one man said.

Police say there is no ongoing threat following the arrests.