Police are following positive lines of enquiry into an assault at a Sikh Temple in Takanini on Sunday evening.

Two people were treated for minor injuries following the incident which occurred at around 5pm at the Takanini School Road site.

“An offender entered the temple and approached a man known to him, who was at the rear of the temple,” Detective Senior Sergeant Simon Taylor of Counties Manukau CIB says.

“He has begun to assault the man, before bystanders have intervened to stop the offending.”

During this intervention, a second victim has suffered minor injuries.

Security removed the man and he was seen getting into a vehicle before Police arrived on scene.

Detective Senior Sergeant Taylor says Police have since spoken with the driver of the vehicle, after it was stopped in the Manurewa area later in the evening.

Police are following positive lines of enquiry in relation to the offender.

Detective Senior Sergeant Taylor says the incident is not being treated as a hate-motivated crime.

“We acknowledge that this incident was confronting for those who were present at the temple at the time,” Detective Senior Sergeant Taylor says.

“However, we have established that this incident occurred as a result of a dispute between two parties known to each other.

“Both victims have since received treatment at a local medical centre and fortunately no one was seriously injured as a result.”

Police are carrying out reassurance patrols around the temple as a result of the incident.

Anyone with information that can assist enquiries can update Police online now or call 105, using the reference number 250622/3501.

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