A 13-year-old has been charged by counter terrorism detectives over an alleged violent plot targeting a local school.

Police arrested the boy Thursday morning after reports of a male armed with a knife threatening occupants of a business in Maryborough, Queensland.

He was dealt with under the Youth Justice Act for one count each of attempting to enter premises with intent, going armed so as to cause fear, making threats and possessing a thing intended for use in connection with an offence.

After further investigation, detectives from Queensland’s counter terrorism investigation group and Maryborough child protection investigation unit executed a search warrant at a Maryborough home on Saturday, seizing electronic devices.

Acting Det-Supt. Jason Hindmarsh said after analysis of those devices, the boy had been charged with possession extremist material and with acts in preparation of causing death or grievous bodily harm.

Those charges are under the Fighting anti-Semitism and Keeping Guns out of the Hands of Terrorists and Criminals Amendments Act passed in March.

“This is the first prosecution in Queensland for this new offence,” Det-Supt. Hindmarsh said.

He said the plot allegedly uncovered by police involved acts of violence to be carried out at a local school.

“We are investigating any residual threat that may have been present from the actions of this youth, but we are prioritising the safety of our community and there is no ongoing threat to our community.

“I’ll take this opportunity to stress that this is the time to reinforce that family members and peers must supervise our online environment, particularly for vulnerable youth.

“And where there is concerning behaviour, there are a range of programs we can divert our youth away from if they are entering areas of radicalisation.”

Det-Supt. Hindmarsh said no there was no ideological cause attributed to the plot at this stage but police were still reviewing the devices that had been seized.

The boy has been remanded in custody and is expected to reappear in the Hervey Bay Children’s Court on June 5.