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Police monitor people with terror links

Police in Western Australia are closely monitoring a number of people, including some Australian citizens, with suspected links to terrorism.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Operations Tim Atherton would not reveal how many people are under scrutiny.

He said, however, they were among a group of 60 suspected Islamic extremists the Australian Federal Police this week acknowledged were operating in Australia.

AFP chief Mick Keelty has backed claims by former spy Michael Roach that up to 60 extremists, some of whom were trained by terrorist groups overseas, are in Australia.

"There is some activity in Western Australia that we're aware of and the good thing is that we are aware of it and they're being very closely monitored," Mr Atherton told ABC radio.

"Some of the people under surveillance may be a potential threat to Australian interests, but I wouldn't go to the extent of saying they are an extreme threat - not at this stage."

Mr Atherton said those being watched came to the attention of police because of links to fundamental religious groups, their countries of origin, and overseas travel.

"We have an intelligence capability in terms of covert and overt monitoring, we also have a joint counter-terrorism investigation team between the Australian Federal Police and Western Australian police and they're very active in this state in relation to those targets."

Federation of Islamic Councils president Dr Ameer Ali has attacked the deputy commissioner's decision to publicly reveal the surveillance operation.

He said he was unaware of any extremist tendencies in WA's Islamic community, and warned Mr Atherton's comments could cause problems for Muslims who have no interest in terrorism.

"That is a dangerous path," he told ABC radio.

Mr Atherton's comments came as WA Premier Geoff Gallop launched a new purpose-built assault vessel he said was another important tool in WA's counter-terrorism efforts.

Watching the police Tactical Response Group (TRG) put the new craft through its paces on the river at Maylands, Dr Gallop said it would help combat any type of marine threat, both on the river and the ocean.

"This impressive vessel will significantly boost the tactical capabilities of our police at a time when counter terrorism is uppermost in everyone's mind, it is reassuring that the TRG has added this maritime dimension to its already impressive list of counter-terrorism capabilities."

Dr Gallop said the vessel was part of a $40 million program by the state government to significantly boost resources and equipment for emergency services to fight terrorism.

The package includes new police planes, a new radio communication network and a comprehensive alert system to warn the public of any type of disaster.