A 22-year-old South Australian woman has been charged with being a member of the terrorist organisation Islamic State, after an operation by the state’s Joint Counter Terrorism Team.

The team comprising of the Australian Federal Police (AFP), South Australia Police and the Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation started an investigation into the woman’s alleged activities last year.

Search warrants were carried out today at a property in Adelaide’s western suburbs and the woman was subsequently charged with being a member of the terror group.

It is alleged the woman has cultivated relationships with Islamic State members online and has pledged her allegiance to the terrorist organisation.

If found guilty, the woman could face a maximum of ten years in prison.

AFP Assistant Commissioner Ian McCartney said that the age demographic of people identifying as supporting IS continues to be alarming for law enforcement.

“It is concerning that people so young remain susceptible to extremist ideologies and are willing to engage in criminal activities that attract significant penalties.

“We target criminals and criminal activity, not ideologies or backgrounds. The Joint Counter Terrorism Team will closely examine any individual that supports an extremist group.”

Deputy Commissioner Linda Williams said today’s arrest had been made as a result of excellent co-operative work being done by police and intelligence agencies across Australia.

“I would like to emphasis to the South Australian community that the accused has been charged with membership of a terrorism organisation, not with specifically planning any attack. There is no known ongoing threat to the community.

“South Australia Police will continue to work with our partner agencies to ensure the safety of the public, including those from a range of faiths, and I would remind the community that police will not tolerate acts of violence or threats targeting any specific group within our community.

“Our community should feel reassured that this investigation has been thorough and is being fully supported by all responsible agencies.”