Police cordon off access to Kuranui College. PHOTO/SUE TEODORO
SUE TEODORO
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Kuranui College went into lockdown and the Armed Offenders Squad was called out as police investigated reports of an armed person in the area on Thursday afternoon.
A police spokesperson confirmed a person with an air rifle was reported in the East St area of Greytown around 12.20pm.
Police confirmed late Thursday that a person had been taken into custody but no charges had been laid.
The school was put into lockdown as a precaution because it was close to where the armed person was first spotted.
All roads leading to the school were cordoned off, students remained in class and cars were not allowed to approach the area surrounding it.
The cordons were lifted shortly after 2pm, although there was a police car at the school.
South Wairarapa Mayor Alex Beijen said police had kept him informed as the situation unfolded.
“Police must react as if it is a worst-case scenario,” he said.
Beijen urged people to consider the consequences of their actions in situations such as this.
School principal Simon Fuller posted information about the incident on Facebook.
“The college has been advised by police to stay indoors due to an incident in Greytown. All students are safely locked inside and rest assured there is no direct threat to the college. We will keep you updated,” he said.
The school later posted an update.
“The college is no longer in lockdown and students are released for lunch prior to last period, which will resume slightly later.”
Greytown was relatively unaffected by the incident, with businesses remaining open. Shop owners closer to the scene remained alert and at least one store locked its doors as a precaution.
