Anti-weapons protesters who allegedly vandalised a defence manufacturer and set nearby vehicles alight could face life imprisonment after police said the incident was being investigated as an act of terrorism by “far-left extremists”. “The AFP, together with our partners, will not tolerate acts of terror motivated by extremist ideologies aiming to cause fear and anguish in our community. After the incident, the alleged offenders left using a back fence and rode ebikes south-west along Plenty River. While it is rare for Australian authorities to investigate far-left groups for alleged terror offences, Asio warned recently of an increased threat it said was posed by those motivated by the Gaza conflict. The terror group had encouraged violence against Shias.