New Zealand supermarkets take knives off shelves after stabbing them “extremists”

WELLINGTON, Sept. 4 (Reuters) – New Zealand supermarket group Countdown said on Saturday it had removed knives and scissors from shelves, a day after a man authorities called an Islamist extremist stabbed six people in one of the shops. company.

“Last night we made the decision to temporarily remove all knives and scissors from the shelves while considering whether we should sell them,” said Kiri Hannifin, Countdown’s chief security officer.

“We want our entire team to feel safe when it comes to work, especially considering yesterday’s events,” he said in a media statement.

Other supermarket chains had also removed sharp knives from the sale, local media reported.

Police shot dead the attacker, a Sri Lankan citizen who cannot be appointed by court-martial orders. The prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, said the man was inspired by the Islamic State militant group and was under constant police surveillance.

Police were following the man as he entered the Countdown supermarket at New Lynn Mall in Auckland. They said they had thought he had gone shopping, but he grabbed a knife from the screen and started stabbing people.

Police said they shot him within a minute of the start of the attack. Three of the six victims are in critical condition.

Ardern said the attacker had been under surveillance since 2016 for his support of a violent ideology inspired by the Islamic State. By law, the man could not be kept in prison, so he was constantly monitored.

The government has sought the urgent removal of suppression orders so that more details about the person could be made public. Ardern is expected to address the media at 0200 GMT.

Praveen Menon Reports; Edited by William Mallard

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