Rescuers stand down after finding no one on top of Lion Rock

Emergency services preparing for a possible rescue attempt at Lion Rock. Photo/File

If there were people trapped at the top of Piha's Lion Rock they appear to have made it off safely.

A fire crew and a police search and rescue team were at the iconic rock at Piha Beach this evening following a report that three people were trapped at the top.

A member of the public called 111 just before 5.30pm after hearing calls for help, a police spokeswoman said. They told rescuers there could be three people stuck on top of the rock.

However, rescuers at the scene are now "pretty confident" that no one is there, the spokeswoman said.

Final checks were being made but the call "appears to have been a false alarm".

Although there is a track part way up the rock, climbing to the top is off limits after a rockfall made the steep climb too dangerous.

However, many people still ignore warning signs to make the ascent each year.