Five teens charged after anti-terror raids in Sydney

Five teenagers have been charged after anti-terror raids were carried out across Sydney.

Three males, one aged 17 and two aged 16, have been charged with conspiring to engage in an act in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist act.

The 17-year-old has also been charged with custody of a knife in a public place.

Two other males, aged 17 and 14, have been charged with possessing or controlling violent extremist material obtained or accessed using a carriage service.

All five were refused bail to appear before a children's court on April 25.

It comes after seven juvenile males were arrested in anti-terror raids across Sydney on April 24 and a further five were assisting police with enquiries.

It was part of investigations by the joint counter terrorism team into the associates of the alleged offender in the Wakeley church stabbing.

More than 400 police were involved in the operation which also resulted in the seizure of a "significant" amount of electronic material, police said.

NSW Police deputy commissioner David Hudson said after the raids police had identified a group that posed an "unacceptable risk" to the people of NSW.

AFP deputy commissioner Krissy Barrett said there was no evidence of a location or timing of any alleged attacks stemming from the terror raids.

Earlier on April 24, NSW Police said raids were being conducted by the joint counter-terrorism team in Sydney as part of an investigation into the alleged stabbing of Assyrian bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel.

Police said there was no current threat to public safety and no connection to Anzac Day commemorations.

"The JCTT Sydney is executing search warrants in Sydney today as part of an ongoing investigation," NSW Police said in a statement.

AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw, who spoke at the National Press Club, confirmed the operation was related to the alleged attack at Christ The Good Shepherd Church on April 15.

The alleged stabbing of an Assyrian bishop at the Wakeley church was declared a "terrorist act" by NSW Police sparking a joint investigation with ASIO and the AFP.

A 16-year-old boy was arrested and charged with a terrorism offence.

Anyone with information about extremist activity or possible threats to the community should contact the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400.