Christchurch school locked down as armed police surround house after reports of man with gun

Armed police were called to Addington, Christchurch this afternoon. Photo / George Heard

One person has been injured and a Christchurch school was in lockdown this afternoon as armed police surround a nearby house after reports of a man with a gun.

Police say the were called about a family harm matter on Lincoln Rd, Addington.

“A person was reported to have a firearm,” police said.

“Cordons were put in place at an address on Whiteleigh Ave.

“Two people from that address are assisting police with our inquiries to locate the person of interest who is no longer believed to be in the area.”

Police say that a person involved in the “initial incident” has been taken hospital with moderate injuries.

Residents are being evacuated from nearby properties.

Police have surrounded a back-section property. Photo / George Heard

Police have surrounded a back-section property and the nearby primary school was advised to lockdown as a precaution.

“Police acknowledge that this may have been unsettling for the young people whose school went into lockdown and [we] appreciate their support,” police said.

Police are responding to the incident on Lincoln Rd. Photo / George Heard

Addington Te Kura Kaumatua posted on its Facebook page for parents to stay away.

“Please do not come to school for School Cross Country. We are in a police-enforced lockdown. Your children are safe in their rooms. We will update as soon as we know more information. Please avoid calling the school and tying up phone lines.”

But by around 2.30pm, the school said that the lockdown was lifted, adding: “School will finish at 3pm as usual but you are welcome to come earlier if you like”.

Police have also asked members of the public to stay away from the Whiteleigh Ave and Lincoln Rd area “while staff work to resolve the situation safely”.

Staff from a nearby business reported loud banging noises and said armed police had surrounded a property.

More to come