OXFORD is 'reviewing the safety situation for the city's Muslim community' following the terror attack in New Zealand.
Tom Hayes Oxford City Council executive board member for a safer and greener environment, explained: "After the awful events in New Zealand, Officers have got back to me to say that Thames Valley Police (TVP) will, in line with national steps, have to review the safety situation for Oxford’s Muslim community and our mosques."
Oxfordshire leaders have united in condemnation of a mosque shooting that left 49 people dead in Christchurch.
READ MORE: MPs hold minute’s silence in memory of New Zealand terror attack victims
Tweeting Friday morning, Oxford West and Abingdon MP Layla Moran said: “I am sickened by what’s happened in New Zealand. There is no place anywhere in the world for hatred on that scale. We stand by you. #JeSuisNZ.”
Leader of Oxford City Council, Cllr Susan Brown, said: “Appalling news from New Zealand. My thoughts are with the people of New Zealand, the families most directly affected by this act of terrorism and @jacindaardern as they struggle to comprehend the horror.”
MP for Witney and West Oxfordshire, Robert Courts, tweeted: “This is terrible news. New Zealand is famous for its fairness & freedom; its society based on peace & equality. Christchurch is a beautiful city that has suffered much in recent years; its warm, friendly people are in the thoughts of all their friends in the UK. @UKinNZ @NZinUK”
Mr Hayes added that he had asked the Chief Constable and Police and Crime Commissioner for an 'update on their thinking and a meeting with TVP Oxford' and will provide an update afterwards.
READ AGAIN: Oxford mosque collects thousands of bags of rice for Syrian refugees
He concluded: "I’ve asked for visible reassurance patrols around mosques and increased engagement by TVP."
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