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Christchurch shootings: UK mosque security to be discussed Christchurch shootings: Outpouring of UK support to Muslim community
(about 2 hours later)
Security at UK mosques is to be discussed following the terror attacks in New Zealand that left 49 dead. There has been an outpouring of support for the Muslim community in the UK, following the terror attacks at two New Zealand mosques that left 49 dead.
Senior counter-terrorism experts and security services will hold talks with the home secretary later on how mosques in the UK can best be protected. Public figures have widely condemned the attack, while vigils have been organised across the country.
Police are also stepping up patrols around mosques to provide reassurance. The Queen said she was "deeply saddened" by the shootings, and PM Theresa May called it "sickening".
The Queen said she is "deeply saddened" by the shootings at two Christchurch mosques, with condolences also paid by Prime Minister Theresa May. It comes as police have increased patrols at British mosques to provide reassurance.
Senior counter-terrorism experts and security services were also due to hold talks with the Home Secretary on how mosques in the UK can best be protected.
'Stay strong''Stay strong'
The Queen said: "Prince Philip and I send our condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives. The Queen paid tribute to the emergency services and volunteers who were helping the injured, and said: "Prince Philip and I send our condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives.
"I also pay tribute to the emergency services and volunteers who are providing support to those who have been injured."
She added that her "thoughts and prayers are with all New Zealanders" at this "tragic time".She added that her "thoughts and prayers are with all New Zealanders" at this "tragic time".
Prince Charles said both he and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, were "utterly horrified to hear of the most barbaric attacks". He called it an "assault on all of us who cherish religious freedom, tolerance, compassion and community".
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, in a joint message with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, called the attack "senseless", saying: "No person should ever have to fear attending a sacred place of worship."The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, in a joint message with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, called the attack "senseless", saying: "No person should ever have to fear attending a sacred place of worship."
They ended the message with the Māori words Kia Kaha, meaning "stay strong".They ended the message with the Māori words Kia Kaha, meaning "stay strong".
Mrs May described what happened as a "horrifying terrorist attack", adding: "My thoughts are with all of those affected by this sickening act of violence."Mrs May described what happened as a "horrifying terrorist attack", adding: "My thoughts are with all of those affected by this sickening act of violence."
The attacks in Christchurch on Friday, the deadliest in New Zealand's history, happened at around the time people were attending the mosques for prayers.The attacks in Christchurch on Friday, the deadliest in New Zealand's history, happened at around the time people were attending the mosques for prayers.
At least 20 people have also been wounded in what the country's prime minister Jacinda Arden described as one of the nation's "darkest days".At least 20 people have also been wounded in what the country's prime minister Jacinda Arden described as one of the nation's "darkest days".
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is planning to visit Glasgow Central Mosque on Friday, and said the events in New Zealand "will feel very personal and close to home" for Muslims. People gathered for prayers at mosques across the UK, including at the East London Mosque and London Muslim Centre, which urged its community to "be more vigilant than ever".
Meanwhile, Finsbury Park Mosque, whose worshippers were targeted in a terror attack in June 2017, shared a picture of flowers and a note of support which it had received from members of the local community.
Akeela Ahmed, who belongs to a group of Muslim representatives which advises the government, said she was helping to try and organise vigils around the country.
Flags have been lowered to half mast at Downing Street and the Foreign Office, as well as in the British town of Christchurch in Dorset, which is twinned with its New Zealand namesake.
Mohammed Kozbar, the vice president of the Muslim Association of Britain, said Muslims in the UK would not be intimidated by terror attacks.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, shared a post on Twitter urging Christians to go along to Friday prayers at local mosques.
And the Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, told the BBC that "an attack against faith anywhere is an attack on faith everywhere".
'Sadness, solidarity and anger'
By Alex Therrien from BBC News, at the East London Mosque
There was sadness and solidarity, but also anger, at a vigil at the East London Mosque held in memory of the victims of the New Zealand attack.
Posters saying "no to Islamophobia" and "this will not divide us" were held up as Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and faith leaders gave short speeches. But among many of the gatherers the BBC spoke to there was also anger and fear.
Fear about whether such an attack could happen in the UK. And anger at what they see as the normalisation of Islamophobia in parts of the media and among politicians.
"These are the ones we should be pointing the finger at," said one man who refused to give his name.
"They are the ones who caused this."
The London mayor did not name politicians or the media directly, but strongly hinted at their role in influencing people and having a role in them becoming radicalised.
"There is a responsibility on all of us to be very careful in the language we use," he urged.
The mayor added that diversity in London was a strength, not a weakness. "We don't simply tolerate it - we embrace and respect it."
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is planning to attend a vigil at Glasgow Central Mosque on Friday evening, and said the events in New Zealand "will feel very personal and close to home" for Muslims.
Meanwhile, Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of the opposition, laid flowers at the High Commission of New Zealand in London, where members of an anti-terrorism group had gathered.Meanwhile, Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of the opposition, laid flowers at the High Commission of New Zealand in London, where members of an anti-terrorism group had gathered.
MPs have observed a minute's silence in the House of Commons and flags over Downing Street and the Foreign Office are being flown at half-mast. MPs have observed a minute's silence in the House of Commons.
British security minister Ben Wallace called the attack "repugnant" and said the UK "stands shoulder to shoulder with New Zealand against terrorism".British security minister Ben Wallace called the attack "repugnant" and said the UK "stands shoulder to shoulder with New Zealand against terrorism".
He said he and Home Secretary Sajid Javid would meet police counter-terrorism chiefs and the security services later on Friday, "to discuss what further measures we can take to protect our mosques and our communities from any threats here in the United Kingdom". He said he and Home Secretary Sajid Javid would speak to police counter-terrorism chiefs and the security services later on Friday, "to discuss what further measures we can take to protect our mosques and our communities from any threats here in the United Kingdom".
Mr Wallace added: "Our police and security services treat all threats the same and all terrorists the same no matter what communities, religion or background they come from. A terrorist is a terrorist and we shall deal with them exactly the same."Mr Wallace added: "Our police and security services treat all threats the same and all terrorists the same no matter what communities, religion or background they come from. A terrorist is a terrorist and we shall deal with them exactly the same."
More police at mosquesMore police at mosques
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan described the attacks as "heartbreaking". Mayor of London Mr Khan described the attacks as "heartbreaking".
He said that, after discussions with Scotland Yard, there would be "highly visible policing around mosques today, as well as armed response officers, as Londoners go to pray".He said that, after discussions with Scotland Yard, there would be "highly visible policing around mosques today, as well as armed response officers, as Londoners go to pray".
Met Police Assistant Commissioner Mr Basu, the national policing lead for counter-terrorism, said that as well as the "reassurance patrols", there would be increased "engagement with communities of all faiths, giving advice on how people and places can protect themselves".Met Police Assistant Commissioner Mr Basu, the national policing lead for counter-terrorism, said that as well as the "reassurance patrols", there would be increased "engagement with communities of all faiths, giving advice on how people and places can protect themselves".
Police Scotland and Greater Manchester Police also said patrols would be increased around mosques, but added there was no intelligence to suggest there was a specific threat.Police Scotland and Greater Manchester Police also said patrols would be increased around mosques, but added there was no intelligence to suggest there was a specific threat.
Greater Manchester Police said "we know all too well the effects of terrorism".Greater Manchester Police said "we know all too well the effects of terrorism".
Meanwhile, Met Chief Superintendent Nick Aldworth, who leads the government's counter-terrorism strategy, told BBC 5 Live that police would be assessing what impact the Christchurch attack could have on Britain.Meanwhile, Met Chief Superintendent Nick Aldworth, who leads the government's counter-terrorism strategy, told BBC 5 Live that police would be assessing what impact the Christchurch attack could have on Britain.
"There's no doubt in my mind, that having seen what I've seen here, this is something that we within counter-terrorism should be responding to in the UK and ensuring our current plans and thinking is correct," he said. "There's no doubt in my mind that, having seen what I've seen here, this is something that we within counter-terrorism should be responding to in the UK and ensuring our current plans and thinking is correct," he said.
'Be more vigilant'
The East London Mosque and London Muslim Centre said its thoughts and prayers were with the victims, and urged its community to "be more vigilant than ever".
Meanwhile, Finsbury Park Mosque, whose worshippers were targeted in a terror attack in June 2017, shared a picture of flowers and a note of support which it had received from members of the local community.
Mohammed Kozbar, the vice president of the Muslim Association of Britain, said Muslims in the UK would not be intimidated by terror attacks.
Akeela Ahmed, who belongs to a group of Muslim representatives which advises the government, said she is helping to try and organise vigils around the country.
The Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, said "an attack against faith anywhere is an attack on faith everywhere".
She said: "In London we are lucky to have a diverse multi-cultural community but we shouldn't be complacent. Our diversity is our strength but we also need to recognise there's a difference.
"We need to build strong communities so we can show people we have more in common than we do in difference."
Sir Mark Rowley, the UK's former head of counter terrorism at the Met Police until last year, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that although "Western societies have always had racist thugs" who commit crimes, in recent years they have become "more organised and with more terrorist ambitions".Sir Mark Rowley, the UK's former head of counter terrorism at the Met Police until last year, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that although "Western societies have always had racist thugs" who commit crimes, in recent years they have become "more organised and with more terrorist ambitions".
He said he thought social media had played a role and was "a very big problem".He said he thought social media had played a role and was "a very big problem".
Downing Street and Home Secretary Sajid Javid also criticised social media, saying Facebook, Twitter and YouTube should have been quicker to remove video footage - recorded by the gunman during the attack - from its platforms. Downing Street and Home Secretary Mr Javid also criticised social media, saying Facebook, Twitter and YouTube should have been quicker to remove video footage - recorded by the gunman during the attack - from its platforms.