In an effort to avert a potential disaster, Polish officials have successfully thwarted a suspected plot, inspired by ISIS, aimed at targeting a Christmas market. A student, charged with orchestrating a mass bombing, is at the center of this unfolding investigation, authorities reported.

This development coincides with heightened security measures in Germany and the UK, following the tragic events in Sydney where a shooting at a Jewish Hanukkah gathering on Bondi Beach resulted in 16 fatalities.

The Polish suspect, identified as 19-year-old Mateusz W., was apprehended by the Internal Security Agency (ABW) in his Lublin apartment towards the end of November.

Jacek Dobrzyński, speaking for the Minister’s Coordinator of Special Services, disclosed that investigators suspect the young man had been researching bomb-making techniques and was planning to affiliate with a terrorist group to execute his plans.

Polish authorities successfully prevent a suspected ISIS plot from endangering Christmas market visitors. (Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

“The purpose of the crime was to intimidate many people, as well as to support the Islamic State,” Dobrzyński said in a statement shared on X.

Items linked to Islam and digital storage devices were seized, and the suspect has been remanded for three months as the Szczecin branch of ABW continues its investigation.

At a news conference, Dobrzyński also referenced a June case in which three 19-year-olds were charged over alleged extremist plots, including a reported plan to attack a school in Olsztyn.

Authorities arrested five on suspicion of plotting a terror attack on a Christmas market in Bavaria.  (Juergen Sack/Getty Images)

“You are familiar with this issue from Olsztyn; now we have another example of preparing an attack before Christmas,” he told reporters, according to GB News.

In Germany, police in Lower Bavaria also arrested five men on Dec. 12 on suspicion of preparing an attack on a Christmas market, according to reports.

Authorities said an Egyptian national described as an Islamic preacher had allegedly called for an assault during gatherings at a mosque in the Dingolfing-Landau area, per Euronews.

In the U.K., counterterrorism officials have stepped up armed patrols and public alert messaging across London and other major cities. (Matthew Chattle/Future Publishing via Getty Image)

Special operations forces carried out the arrests, and investigators believe the group had begun early-stage preparations.

In the U.K., counterterrorism officials stepped up armed patrols and public alert messaging across London and other major cities on Tuesday.

“Sadly, as shown by the appalling attack on Sydney’s Jewish community during a Hanukkah event, we know they can also be a target for terrorist activity,” Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jon Savell said in a press release.

He cited large festive gatherings, religious services and Christmas markets as potential targets.

In the release posted Tuesday, he urged the British public to report anything that “doesn’t feel right” as part of the annual winter vigilance campaign.

Meanwhile, U.S. authorities say they separately disrupted a New Year’s Eve plot in Southern California.

Four alleged members of an extremist anti-capitalist, anti-government group suspected of rehearsing coordinated bombings against sites linked to two U.S. companies were arrested on Monday.