Bomb threat hoax targets Foxton Work and Income office

Police and forensics officers at the Ashburton Winz office on Monday where Russell Tully allegedly killed two women and injured another. Photo / Ashburton Guardian

An investigation is underway after a bomb threat hoax at the Foxton Work and Income office last night.

Central Police communications spokesman Mike Coleman said police arrived at the scene about midnight, after they received information about a threatening text message.

He said upon arrival they discovered a metal container outside the office, however it turned out to be nothing suspicious.

He said police then cordoned off the area and waited for the army to arrive.

Mr Coleman said an investigation into the hoax would continue.

Work and Income security tightened nationwide

"Heaps of people" were sent away to get identity documents on the first day of a tighter security regime at one Work and Income office yesterday -- but three other offices took a softer line and only stopped people who looked "suspicious".

Notices appeared on the doors of all Work and Income's 157 offices around the country yesterday saying: "Entry to this office is controlled. Please speak to our security officer. You may be asked for identification. Please remove helmets and hoods before entering."

Social Development Ministry chief executive Brendan Boyle said last week that security guards would control entry from this week and "may ask for identification".

At the Mt Eden Community Link office in Dominion Rd, Auckland, a security guard was posted outside the front door and stopped anyone entering if they did not have identity documents.

"I turned away heaps of people because they didn't have any ID," a guard said.

- additional reporting Simon Collins