Yahoo News Police step up UK mosque patrols in wake of New Zealand terror attack
British police patrolled mosques in London, Manchester and Birmingham on Friday following the terror attacks in New Zealand which left 49 people dead.
The head of British counter-terror police said his officers would ‘stand together’ with Muslim communities across the country in the wake of the deadly attacks.
‘Today we will be stepping up reassurance patrols around mosques and increasing engagement with communities of all faith, giving advice on how people and places can protect themselves,’ said Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Neil Basu.
‘We are standing together with our Muslim communities and all those shocked and horrified by this terrorist attack in New Zealand.’
West Midlands Police assistant chief constable Matt Ward said there was no intelligence suggesting an increased threat but said patrols were needed because of what happened elsewhere.
‘Officers will be engaging with key religious buildings today to reassure local people,’ he said.
‘We will continue to work closely together and unite against those who seek, through violence and extremism, to intimidate or cause fear.’
There have been attacks carried out on British mosques in recent years, most notably that by Darren Osborne who was jailed for 43 years after driving into a crowd at Finsbury Parkl mosque and killing one person.
Assistant chief constable Russ Jackson, of Greater Manchester Police, said: ‘We will be working hard to reassure them and communities of all faiths.
‘We have nothing to suggest a threat locally but regardless of this we want to reassure people and so we will be increasing patrols in and around local mosques.’
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon expressed solidarity with the Muslim community after attackers opened fire at two mosques in Christchurch during Friday prayers.
‘On behalf of the Scottish Government and the people of Scotland I extend my thoughts to the people of New Zealand and everyone affected by the horrific attacks in Christchurch,’ she said.
The UK authorities were not alone in authorising such patrols.
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In France security measures near religious sites were also stepped up.
Mr Basu said British counter-terror police were monitoring events in New Zealand closely.
He added: ‘Our international network of UK counter terrorism officers will be ready to support our counterparts in New Zealand in responding to and investigating this appalling attack.
“We stand together with all our communities and partners here in the UK and overseas.’
