Mosque neighbours relieved at presence of armed police

Neighbours of Tauranga Mosque say they are relieved armed police are standing guard.

Amrinder Singh and Sukhman Singh said they were a little bit frightened living so close to a mosque, but they felt a lot safer knowing police were nearby.

Singh said he had seen five or six police cars patrolling the area this afternoon.

Both belonging to the Sikh religion and said they would be going to the temple tonight to pray for those who had lost their lives.

Cassandra and Chanelle Bryan, sisters who live nearby, said what has happened in Christchurch is "disgusting" and "appalling".

Bryan said as she has a 2-year-old daughter, she felt a lot better knowing armed police were around.