Seven arrested for hate crimes after New Zealand mosque shootings Published duration 19 March 2019 Related Topics Christchurch mosque shootings

image copyright Getty Images image caption A tribute to victims of the Christchurch mosque attacks

Seven people have been arrested for hate crimes in Greater Manchester over the Christchurch mosque shootings as one man called the gunman a "hero".

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has received 11 reports of offensive behaviour related to the attack, with nine of them online.

Two of the arrests were for a racially-aggravated public order offence involving a taxi driver.

Russ Jackson, assistant chief constable of GMP, said the arrests were mostly for stirring up racial hatred or malicious communications.

Mr Jackson said: "In one example a man uses truly offensive words to describe Muslims, hoping Muslims die and saying the attacker is his hero."

'Horrible'

He added: "The tiny number of people who chose to make horrible comments are isolated. Put simply, it's time for some decency, some understanding and some tolerance."

A 38-year-old woman from Rochdale was arrested after posting comments online; as well as a 24-year-old man from Oldham.

A taxi driver was allegedly abused in Rochdale by passengers referencing the New Zealand attacks.

Sean Allen, 33, and Natalie Rudman, 34, are charged with a racially aggravated public order offence.

Mr Allen, from Collyhurst, and Ms Rudman, from Heywood, will appear at Manchester Magistrates' Court on 9 April.