Staff and customers were standing with their hands up in the windows of the Lindt chocolate café earlier this morning where police officers have their guns drawn outside.
Police were called to the popular eatery at about 9.45am this morning. The café is roughly 40 metres from the Channel 7 offices so they have cameras trained on the building. The newsroom was evacuated.
There is an Islamic flag being held up in the window.
Sydney Trains have partially closed the Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line between Central and Bondi Junction due to the police operation.
In September authorities said a threat was made to target random Australians, possibly in Martin Place in Sydney’s CBD, and film the act to post on social media.
In October, the 17-year-old ‘Aussie jihadist’ Abdullah Elmir appeared in a video surrounded by heavily armed jihadists where he issued threats to Australia and directly threatened Prime Minister, Tony Abbott.
Authorities believe that at least 70 Australians are fighting with terror groups in Iraq and Syria.
Three months ago Australia raised its terrorism threat level from medium to high in response to growing concern over the domestic impact of militant conflicts in Iraq and Syria.
High – the second-highest rank – since the threat level system was introduced in 2003.
“Medium” means an attack could occur while “high” means an attack is likely.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott released a statement saying he had spoken with NSW Premier Mike Baird and “offered him all possible Commonwealth support and assistance”.
The scene at Martin Place. Picture: Hannah Paine/Twitter
The scene at Martin Place. Picture: Hannah Paine/Twitter
“This is obviously a deeply concerning incident but all Australians should be reassured that our law enforcement and security agencies are well trained and equipped and are responding in a thorough and professional manner,” the Prime Minister said.
In a statement posted on the Lindt Chocolate Cafe Australia Facebook page, Lindt said: “We would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and kind support over the current situation at the Lindt Chocolate Café at Martin Place. We are deeply concerned over this serious incident and our thoughts and prayers are with the staff and customers involved and all their friends and families. The matter is being dealt with by the authorities and we are waiting for any updates from them.”
The Opera House was also evacuated due to a suspicious package.
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