Federal police have revealed the caravan filled with explosives found on the side of the road in north-western Sydney was a “fake terrorism plot” that aimed to cause fear in the Jewish community, but there was no risk of a mass casualty event.

Police launched several raids this morning in relation to recent antisemitic attacks and arrested 14 people who were charged with 49 offences.

While giving an update on the arrests, Australian Federal Police revealed that the caravan that was found full of explosives in Dural in January was an attempt to threaten the Jewish community rather than stage a terror attack.

“Almost immediately (after the caravan was found), experienced investigators within the joint counter-terrorism team believed that the caravan was part of a fabricated terrorist plot, essentially a criminal con job,” AFP Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett said.

“This was because of the information they already had, how easily the caravan was found and how visible the explosives were in the caravan. Also, there was no detonator.

“Today, I can reveal the caravan was never going to cause a mass casualty event but instead was concocted by criminals who wanted to cause fear for personal benefit.”