Christchurch Mosque shootings leave 49 dead

New Zealand police continue to respond to events following shootings at two mosques in central Christchurch in what has been branded an 'ultra-right wing' terrorism attack.

The New Zealand national security threat level has been lifted to high. Mosques across New Zealand have been closed and police are asking people to refrain from visiting.

One of the gunmen live-streamed his attack of one of the mosques on social media.

So far, 49 people have been killed. According to media reports, 41 people were fatally shot at the Masjid Al Noor mosque on Deans Avenue; others died at a second mosque nearby. 20 are are understood to be injured.

New Zealand Police have four suspects in custody, including one Australian national identified as Brenton Tarrant by Australian Police. One man in his late 20s has been charged with murder.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, has stated: "It is one of New Zealand’s darkest days. Many of the people affected by this act of extreme violence will be from our refugee and migrant communities. New Zealand is their home. They are us."

National Policing lead for Counter Terrorism, Neil Basu said: “We are monitoring events in New Zealand closely and send our condolences to all those affected. 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, and will continue to work with them to counter the threat no matter where it comes from. Together with our intelligence partners we continually monitor the varied threats we face, including to and around places of worship and specific communities across the country, to ensure we have the most appropriate protective security measures in place to keep people safe.

“Today we will be stepping up reassurance patrols around mosques and increasing engagement with communities of all faiths, giving advice on how people and places can protect themselves.

“Places of worship can also utilise our online training package ‘ACT Awareness eLearning’ for advice on Protective Security and how to react should the worst happen. It can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/act-awareness-elearning. We’d also encourage everyone to be aware of our Run, Hide, Tell advice.

“We take all forms of extremism seriously and anyone with concerns about someone becoming radicalised can get advice and support through the PREVENT programme at www.ltai.info.

“We stand together with our Muslim communities and all those shocked and horrified by this terrorist attack in New Zealand.”