Napier disorder: Schools out of lockdown after sighting of firearm

Police were called to Tait Dr, near the intersection of Spriggs Cres, about 2.15pm and have blocked off the road. Photo / NZME

Several suburban Napier schools were placed into lockdown for more than two hours on Thursday after a reported sighting of a firearm nearby.

Large numbers of armed police were sent to an address in Tait Dr, Greemedows East, on a bend just off Kennedy Rd, about 2.15pm, closing the road and triggering a wave of lockdowns at schools around the suburbs of Greenmeadows and Tamatea.

At least two schools in Tamatea, some distance from the scene, did not end their lockdowns until about 4.20pm, as police were standing down.

Two parents told Hawke’s Bay Today outside Tamatea High School they had been waiting at the school’s Freyberg Ave gates for about two hours, one saying she had just finished work and arrived about 2.20pm, when she got the message from the school advising of the lockdown.

Both were satisfied that the school had kept their children safe, and a police spokesperson said that they recommended the schools lockdown, and provided further updates to them later on.

School lockdown procedures and decisions were “ultimately for the school to decide on.”

A police spokesperson said earlier officers were called to reports of disorder where it was believed a weapon was seen, and afterwards reaffirmed the situation.

They were not aware of any injuries, and said most of the inquiries were centred around Tait Drive, while it was believed people involved may had left in vehicles so Police were also further afield than Tait Drive.

By early evening no one had been arrested, and inquiries were continuing.

The Armed Offenders Squad had been assisting as a precaution, and cordons were put blocking traffic from the sector of Tait Dr between Kennedy Rd and Spriggs Cr, near the Greenmeadows East Community Hall.

Parkside Adventist Christian School said on its Facebook page at 2.30pm it was in lockdown “until further notice” before saying at 3.05pm it was out.

“All of our students are safe and happy.

“We will update when it is safe.

“Please keep away from the school until further notice. God bless.”

Cordons were put in place around the Greenmeadows area. Photo / NZME

Porritt School principal Maaka Papuni said on Facebook it was in lockdown.

“We have been advised by the MOE to go into lockdown.

“Our spaces are secure and our students are safe. We cannot lift this lockdown until given the all-clear by the NZ Police.

“Please DO NOT come into the school to collect your child, we cannot unlock our spaces for safety reasons. We will update as soon as we know more.”

Henry Hill School said it was in lockdown.

“The kids are safe but we’ve been told to stay locked down until we have been advised that it is safe to let the kids out.”

Tamatea Intermediate School, Tamatea Primary School and Tamatea High School were also in lockdown.

Police have been involved in several searches for firearms after several incidents in Hawke’s Bay in the last week, including some where shots have been fired.