Sydney caravan a ‘fake terrorism plot’ by criminals hoping to cause fear for personal benefit, police allege

A caravan allegedly containing explosives was found on the side of a road in the suburb of Dural on Sydney’s outskirts. Police now allege it was a ‘fake terrorism plot’. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAP

Federal police say a caravan with explosives found in Sydney earlier this year was “never going to cause a mass casualty event” and was a “fake terrorism plot”.

The Australian federal police deputy commissioner Krissy Barrett said on Monday investigators now believed the caravan incident was concocted by criminals who wanted to cause fear for personal benefit.