Cinema security alert over terror threat

By AINSLEY THOMSON and NZPA

A chain of movie theatres is reviewing security and looking at introducing more staff and bags checks in response to terrorist threats to cinemas and water supplies.

A day after police issued a public alert about threats made in a letter to the New Zealand Herald last week, water suppliers, cinemas and city councils have held meetings to discuss security.

Village Force chief executive Joseph Moodabe said the company had discussed the issue with the police.

Although it already had health and safety measures, the safety of patrons was the main concern so security would be reviewed, he said.

More security or bag checks would be introduced if necessary.

Hoyts Cinemas chief executive Stuart McInnes declined to comment.

Watercare Services spokesman Owen Gill said a meeting yesterday between the six Auckland area local body water suppliers and the medical officer of health discussed security measures and strategy.

Hotels are also concerned about the possibility of cyanide contamination of water supplies.

Gordon Wilson, chairman of the Major Accommodation Providers organisation, said hotels and motels were not on high alert, but were being cautious.

The Auckland City Council said it was taking some measures after being briefed by police, but would not elaborate for security reasons.

North Shore and Waitakere City mayors are annoyed police did not brief civic leaders before going public with the threats.

Police national headquarters spokesman Jon Neilson said the mayors were not told yesterday because of the limited time police had.

He said the decision was made to brief key people - water companies, cinemas and health officials - about the threats.

Auckland Mayor John Banks dismissed the threats as a "Herald beat-up", saying the police would have told him if they were serious.

But Mr Neilson said police were taking them seriously, as the letter could not be discounted as a hoax.

Mr Banks also said publishing the story was not in the best interests of the community.

"What the Herald is doing is putting fear into the hearts and souls of elderly people that ring me up very worried."

Yesterday, counter-terrorism chief Assistant Commissioner Jon White said one of the reasons police had decided to publicise the threats was that there was an obligation to tell the public.

As well as threatening to poison water supplies and release gas in a cinema, the letter the Herald received last Tuesday said a "demonstration of capability" would be made in Wellington and Auckland at noon on Friday, March 28.

Police believe the letter writer may be the same person who has sent four previous threatening letters, two of which contained cyanide.