There is a heightened number of police present outside Christchurch mosques ahead of next week's sentencing of mass murderer Brenton Tarrant.
The Christchurch shooter will be sentenced in the High Court for the murder of 51 people in March last year.
District Commander superintendent John Price said it's really important police are put in high alert.
"We've got a large number of staff committed to this operation," he said.
"It's really important that we do this spectacularly well, and that we can ensure that all people taking part in the court case will be safe and will feel safe."
Armed and highly visible police officers are stationed at key sites for the Muslim community throughout the country.
For the duration of the sentencing, the roads on either side of the justice precinct will be shut to motorists so the families of the victims can safely enter the courthouse.
"We've escalated the high threat just for this building to ensure that we can make sure that there is nothing that will occur that could interrupt proceedings," Price said.
The hearing is expected to take four days.
