"We will have to release the men if we don't have sufficient evidence," NSW's Police Commissioner said.
The seven men arrested following a dramatic operation in Sydney's south-west yesterday will soon be released if there is not enough evidence, police say.
Five men were arrested after a car was rammed by tactical police on the corner of George and Campbell streets in Liverpool, just across the road from a busy Westfield shopping centre, with two men stopped in a second car nearby.
Police said they had received information that "a violent act was possibly being planned" but they had not found any connection "to the current police investigation into the Bondi terror attack".
"They haven't been released at this stage, we're still reviewing evidence to determine whether there's a justification to detain them," NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said.
"It's a thorough investigation. We will have to release the men if we don't have sufficient evidence."
Lanyon confirmed the men travelled from Victoria, and investigators were "certainly looking at" radical Islamic extremism as "one of the ideologies" potentially motivating the men who were known to Victorian Police.
"Whilst this specific threat posed by the males is unknown, I can say that the potential of a violent offence being committed was such that we were not prepared to tolerate the risk and interdict accordingly," Lanyon said.
"The information received was that Bondi may have been one of a number of locations that the males were intending to attend, but the reason for attending is unknown."
LIVE UPDATES: Incredible scenes as hundreds paddle out at Bondi Beach
This morning, NSW Police Deputy Commissioner David Hudson told the ABC the men may have shared beliefs with the father and son behind Sunday's terror attack and confirmed the cars may have been travelling to Bondi.
"We have some indication that Bondi was one of the locations they might be visiting yesterday, but with no specific intent in mind or proven at this stage," he said.
When asked whether the men had links to "extremist Islamic ideology", Hudson replied: "That's our belief at this stage, yes".
Hudson earlier told 2GB radio the potential of the men travelling to Bondi was part of the reason for the police intervention.
"That did cause us some concern, obviously, and was one of the escalating factors that caused the interdiction yesterday," Hudson said.
"But I can confirm no firearms or weapons were located at the vehicle stop."
Police have not established any definitive link to the individuals involved in the Bondi mass shooting at this stage.
"However, there is an environment that is quite small, and certain ideologies and beliefs are limited to a very small group of people," Hudson said.
"So whilst there's no definitive links, that's part of our investigation which hopefully gets better defined by the end of the day."
Police applied for a Commonwealth detention order, which allows officers to hold the men for 24 hours without charge.
READ MORE: Inside the Akrams' $22 a night Philippine hotel
Video footage from the operation shows police – armed with long-arm guns, and wearing camouflage fatigues, body armour and helmets – arresting, searching and handcuffing the men yesterday afternoon.
It appeared that the men's car had been intercepted and rammed to a stop.
One of the arrested men was seen on a stretcher, with a bloodied face and bandages around his head.
"Tactical Operations police responded to information received that a violent act was possibly being planned," NSW Police said in a statement.
"Police subsequently intercepted two cars as part of the investigation.
"As investigations continue, seven men are assisting police with their inquiries.
"At this point in time, police have not identified any connection to the current police investigation of the Bondi terror attack."
DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Final victim of Bondi attack named as local grandmother
Kremlin's military goals will be achieved in Ukraine, Putin says
Seven men arrested in Sydney car stops planning to sue NSW police
Man to spend decades behind bars after 'cruel attack' on new partner
Federal Court rules $240 million fine isn't enough for ANZ
Identity of mystery Bondi Beach hero revealed
Vile act of vandalism at Brisbane mosque captured on CCTV
Sophie ordered a Christmas gift weeks ago and it still hasn't been shipped. She's not alone
Teens brawl on beach for second day after supermarket trashed
More photos from Epstein's estate released featuring high-profile names
Schools told to keep children inside as polluted fog envelops Bosnian capital
'She's waltzing with the angels': Bondi Beach terror attack victims laid to rest
'In moments of darkness, I hope you're able to find light'
Inside the controversial plan to fight antisemitism 'gathering dust' on PM's desk
Confusion as tsunami warning accidentally issued for Australia
Anxious ATAR wait over for several states as scores released
