Mike Pannett: Assistant Police Commissioner on NZ authorities boosting security presence following Bondi attack

Police are assuring the public there's no immediate threat of a terror attack in New Zealand. 

They're bolstering their presence around Jewish sites after the targeted attack on a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney's Bondi yesterday. 

A father and son opened fired on a crowd of some 1,000 people - killing 15 and injuring more than 40. 

Assistant Police Commissioner Mike Pannett says in these situations, try and escape quickly and quietly, hide, and contact police when safe to do so.  

"We will absolutely attend as fast as we can, but as these circumstances have shown over the last day, there is no crime advance warning."  

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Brian Bred.

Speaker 2 (00:01):
Now you'll see police, some heavily armed, outside Jewish schools
and synagogues here in New Zealand after what happened in Sydney.
Joining me now is Mike Panet, the Assistant Police Commissioner.
Good evening, Mike, good evening, Ryan. So you've been talking
to your colleagues across the ditch today, have you? What
are they telling you?

Speaker 1 (00:19):
Yes? So we're in constant communication with our colleagues in
Australia and they are keeping us apprised as would be expected.
We have offered our assistants and support to them, but
at this stage their investigations continue and we will continue
to offer support and monitor what's happening across there.

Speaker 2 (00:37):
Why because people are texting and as you're talking, I'm
seeing police outside this school or this Why is that happening?
Is that just a precaution in case someone else follows
suit or do you have any specific information?

Speaker 1 (00:50):
So we have no immediate threat to New Zealand. So
our national counter terrorism or terrorism threat level remains low.
What we are doing is assessing the information. We're assessing
any potential risk that comes off the back of it.
And while we're doing that, we're taking precautions, but we're
also providing reassurance, particularly to the viewers community and to

(01:12):
other communities out there, to let them know that we
are out there, we are monitoring, we are present for them.

Speaker 2 (01:19):
What should people do? I know you put you put
advice out on this a couple of months ago. What
should you do if you find yourself, God forbid in
a situation like that?

Speaker 1 (01:30):
Yeah, a terrible situation. But the crowded Places strategy that
was released a couple of months ago, it's pretty clear.
So three simple things to remember. The first one is
to escape, to move quickly and quietly away from danger,
but only do it when it's safe to do it.
The other thing is to hide and stay out of sight,
silence your mobile phone, and don't reveal yourself to any offenders.

(01:55):
And the third thing is to tell, So call the
police as soon as you can dial one on one
safe to do so. We will absolutely attend as fast
as we can. But you know, as the circumstances of
showing over the last day, there is you know that
no time, no advance warning, and just the terrible consequences

(02:16):
of what's occurred.

Speaker 2 (02:18):
Mike, what did you think of that? Guy that you
know in the video, the hero who got up there
and got the gun.

Speaker 1 (02:25):
Yeah, look and incredibly brave without fear for himself moving forward.
So you have to recognize that. But you know, there's
also the other side of that is you can avoid
doing so you shouldn't put yourself at unnecessary risk. But
that doesn't diminish from the fantastic job he did putting
his own life at risk.

Speaker 2 (02:45):
Stepping he certainly did because I thought when he picked
up the gun, I thought, oh my goodness. You know,
if the police are there and their sharp shooting from
a distance or something. I mean, at that point, things
can get messy, can't they Because you don't necessarily know who's.

Speaker 1 (03:00):
Who, yeah, exactly, and when you arrive in a scene
like that is it is a very confusing situation. And
so you're one hundred percent Ryan, that is a risk
and another reason why you shouldn't do it.

Speaker 2 (03:14):
Appreciate your time tonight, Mike. Thank you, Mike Panet, who's
the assistant police Commissioner. For more from Hither Duplessy Allen Drive,
listen live to news talks. It'd be from four pm weekdays,
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