Officers are continuing to investigate a threat against the Muslim community and will not tolerate any extremist rhetoric, the Police Minister says.
Police Minister Stuart Nash. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas
Threatening messages were posted on encrypted messaging app Telegram on Sunday, targeting members of the Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch.
The threat came ahead of the first anniversary of the 15 March terror attack last year, where 51 worshipers were killed at the Al Noor and Linwood mosques.
Police Minister Stuart Nash did not hold back as he addressed the threat made against the Muslim community, which is still reeling from last year's devastating terror attack.
"Police take this very seriously," he said. "The last thing we need is either idiots or terrorists doing this sort of stuff. We take this very seriously and we will be making sure that this person is held to account."
Canterbury Police announced today they had increased patrols around Masjid-Al Noor and the Linwood Islamic Centre. They recently began trialling their Eagle helicopter unit in Canterbury.
Nash was confident of the security measures.
"They're expecting up to 80,000 people so you can be assured that there will be adequate security in place ... police will not tolerate this sort of activity from the far right or the far left or anyone to be quite honest. So there are processes in place to make sure that these people are well monitored," he said.
In a statement, District Commander Superintendent John Price said police had been in regular contact with the mosques since the attack.
"The safety of the community is our top priority, and we all have a responsibility to work together, and to remain vigilant to anything that might be worrying or suspicious," he said.
The increased patrols were also welcomed by Linwood Islamic Centre treasurer Abdul Aziz, who chased down the alleged gunman.
He heaped praise on the police's work with Muslims in the aftermath of the attack.
"Actually the police patrol is always good. Since the 15th of March last year they always contact us for anything. If we are seeing something suspicious or something they always come and help us," Aziz said.
He said the mosque leaders were keeping the Muslim community aware of any new security threats, and people were taking things day by day.
"What happens is we are trying our best to keep the community safe and make sure we let our community know [if] anything happens. But we try to move on with our life and just take it as we go," Mr Aziz said.
He said the increased patrols would not just benefit worshipers at the mosques, but also the wider community, as everyone is being kept safe.