A TEENAGE boy who was shot dead by police on Sunday after stabbing a man in Perth, Australia, had been in a de-radicalisation programme, authorities said today. 

Western Australia Minister of Police Paul Papalia said the boy had participated in the federally funded Countering Violent Extremism programme for two years, but had no criminal record.

He said: “The challenge we confront with people like the 16-year-old in this incident is that he’s known to hold views that are dangerous and [could] potentially  be radicalised. 

“But the problem with individuals like this is they can act at short notice without warning and be very dangerous.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters that extremism was “an issue for our entire society, whether it be violent extremism, misogyny and violence against women.”

Western Australia Police Commissioner Col Blanch said the boy had phoned police late on Saturday saying he was about to commit “acts of violence” but did not say where. 

Three officers responded after the public reported seeing the boy with a knife in a store car park.

The police reportedly first incapacitated the boy before shooting him.

The stabbed victim is in serious but stable condition at a Perth hospital, police said.