Heavily-armed police arrest group after tip-off about ‘violent act possibly being planned’ at Bondi Beach

Dramatic scenes unfolded on the streets of Sydney when heavily-armed counter-terrorism police detained a group of men on their way to Bondi Beach after receiving information a “violent act was possibly being planned”.

NSW Police on Thursday pounced on the men, who had reportedly travelled from Melbourne and were on their way to the iconic beach four days after it was the scene of the worst terror attack on Australian soil.

Police clad in camouflage and carrying rifles were seen surrounding at least three men near George St and Campbell St in Liverpool as they sat with their hands cable-tied behind their backs and facing a fence.

Rubber bullets were fired at the scene and a car had a smashed back windscreen.

“Tactical Operations police responded to information received that a violent act was possibly being planned,” a police statement said.

“Police subsequently intercepted two cars as part of the investigation.

“As investigations continue, seven men are assisting police with their inquiries.

“At this point in time, police have not identified any connection to the current police investigation of the Bondi terror attack.”

Photographs show police seized mobile phones from the group and took them in as evidence. However, it is understood no weapons were found with the group.

One of the police four-wheel-drives deliberately crashed into the front of a white Hyundai i30 as they carried out the traffic stop. A second car was also stopped in a nearby laneway.