Released teens claim police used excessive force

Two men arrested as part of a counter terrorism operation in Melbourne say police used excessive force during the raids.

Five men were arrested in anti-terror raids on Saturday. Police alleged they were involved in planning an attack on police in Melbourne linked to Anzac Day commemorations.

Eathan Cruse, 19, is one of three teens released by police, while two remain in custody.

He has claimed he was physically and racially attacked during his arrest, saying that officers acted brutally against him, his four siblings and parents.

"I thought it was bikies coming in the the house. I thought I was going to die that night," he told 7News reporter Paul Dowsley.

Also Vehid Causevic's son Harun was one of the men arrested, and says his family was traumatised when police broke into their home in the early hours of Saturday, ABC News reports.

Mr Causevic said police held a gun to his head and he was forced to lie on the floor for 30 minutes.

The family of another man arrested and released without charge has made a complaint about the conduct of police in the raids on his home.

"After my hands were cuffed, laying on my stomach, I got kicked in the head," the man told ABC News on Sunday.

Eighteen-year-old Sevdet Besim, from Hallam, was remanded in custody after appearing briefly in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Saturday charged with conspiring to commit terrorist acts.

Another 18-year-old from Hampton Park is also expected to be charged with offences relating to preparing for a terrorist act and remains in custody.

The family of one of the five teenagers had reportedly already been warned by police of his links with the Islamic State.

ASIO reportedly contacted the families of some of the suspects ahead of the raids and warned them that their sons were becoming radicalised by the extremist group.

One of the arrested men's family said police had told them last year to stop their son from communicating with a jihadist recruiter, News Corp reported.

The annual Anzac Day ceremonies - commemorating Australian and New Zealand Army Corps' First World War battle in Gallipoli on April 25 - take on extra poignancy this year, marking the 100th year of the Turkish conflict.

British police are reviewing security operations ahead of the centenary of the Anzac landings following a foiled alleged terror plot in Australia.

Australians and New Zealanders in the UK traditionally observe the occasion by holding services in Westminster and at Hyde Park.

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"Following counter-terrorism arrests in Australia this weekend and allegations of attack planning against Anzac Day commemorations and police officers in Australia, we are reviewing security plans at related events in the UK," Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said in a statement.

"We already have protective security plans in place for major Anzac events in the UK but as a sensible precaution all forces have been asked to review security arrangements at related events to ensure they are safe and secure for the public and officers.

"While there is no information to suggest a specific threat to related events in the UK - and the current UK threat level remains unchanged - the public should remain vigilant."

The Australian government raised the terror warning level in response to the domestic threat posed by supporters of the Islamic State group.

In September last year, the group's spokesman, Abu Mohammed al-Adnani, issued a message urging attacks abroad, specifically mentioning Australia.

Next week's commemorations are due to begin with a dawn service on Saturday at Wellington Arch, Hyde Park Corner, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph and a commemorative service at Westminster Abbey.

Three men released, two in custody

Senior police confirmed the five arrested men were associates of Numan Haider, who was shot dead by police in Endeavour Hills last year after stabbing two officers.

It's expected one of them - a third 18-year-old - from Narre Warren will be charged on summons with weapons offences.

The two other Narre Warren men, aged 18 and 19, have been released pending further enquiries.

Dubbed Operation Rising, more than 200 heavily-armed officers swooped on the city's southeast about 3am on Saturday, executing search warrants in Narre Warren, Hampton Park, Hallam and Eumemmerring, arresting the men and seizing knives and swords.

Investigations began in late March but escalated to Saturday's raids based on information received earlier this week.

Both the AFP and Victoria Police have declined to give specifics of the alleged planned attacks, saying they're still investigating.

"We would describe (the targets) as Anzac activities in general ... activities in the Melbourne area," Victoria Police acting Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said.

Mr Patton said investigations indicated the alleged attacks were imminent and also posed a risk to the public.

"We believe the attacks could have occurred at any time in the next week," he said.

"The risk to police by edged weapons was essentially a similar risk to the public."

But they say the threat has been contained and members of the public should not feel anxious.

Mr Patton also emphasised that men involved were individuals acting by themselves.

"They are not representative of any religious, cultural or national group," he said.

"I think that's a very important thing that we need to identify."

It's also believed the attacks were Islamic State-inspired.

PM urges Aussies to attend Anzac Day events in full force

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has urged Australians to attend Anzac Day centenary commemorations and for people not to stay away from Anzac Day events out of fear.

"The best thing you can do in the face of those who would do us harm is to live your life normally," Mr Abbott said.

There were no other specific threats to Anzac Day events in other cities.

But Mr Abbott said there would be a strong police presence across Australia nonetheless.

He noted that although security at the Gallipoli ceremony was a matter for the Turkish government, Australia had been co-operating in the lead up to the event and four thousand Turkish police and security personnel would be deployed on the peninsula.

"I want to assure people that everything authorities can do to keep you safe is being done," Mr Abbott said.

Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Michael Phelan lamented that radicalised people could harm others even with rudimentary weapons.

"All you need these days is a knife, a flag and a camera and one can commit a terrorist act," he told reporters.

He acknowledged that police did not have the luxury of time in dealing with potential terrorism plots, unlike in drug investigations.

They had to act as soon as they thought the public were at risk.