A witness reported hearing what sounded like gunshots at the scene in Stratford. Video / Ilona Hanne
The Armed Offenders Squad and Police Negotiation Team are in a standoff with a man inside a home in Stratford.
The man had been involved in a fleeing driver incident last night, where shots were fired towards officers. He then fled inside a home and has refused to engage with police.
Police are now outside the address and have engaged with the neighbouring properties to ensure their safety.
There have been no injuries reported.
A neighbour told the Herald police had been at the scene since around midnight when they knocked on his door and asked him to leave. He left and went to stay at a friend’s house.
The neighbour said a woman lived at the home on Achilles Ave, but that he did not know her well.
Witnesses reported hearing gunshots earlier this morning as armed police descended on Stratford. State Highway 3 in Stratford has been closed and a nearby school is in lockdown.
St Joseph’s School in Stratford confirmed via social media it was in lockdown and asked for parents to stay away from the school.
Avon School is also in lockdown - but no students are present.
Police at the scene in Stratford. Photo / Ilona Hanne
Principal Lisa Hill told the Herald she made the call to advise parents to keep their children home after seeing the heavy police presence in the area.
She said her staff are inside the school with the blinds drawn, awaiting further instruction from the police.
“We were able to contact all families to keep students home,” she said.
Hill said many families had already called the school earlier in the morning and said they would be staying home.
The incident has closed State Highway 3 between the Pembroke Rd and Monmouth Rd intersections, as well as a second road closure between Celia and Achilles Sts.
There is a large police presence and a witness told the Herald they heard what sounded like shots being fired.
Another nearby neighbour said she was blocked into her street by armed police and had heard what sounded like gunshots ring out earlier this morning. Maryam told the Herald she could hear the police shouting at the end of Achilles St - but couldn’t make out what they were saying.
“Stratford is a small town, it’s very unusual for something like this to happen.”
She said she first realised something was wrong at around 7.40am this morning when she tried to leave for work and saw all the police cars blocking the end of her street.
“The street has been blocked, access is blocked and it’s a one-way street - all we can see is the police, so I suppose we just have to wait until it’s over.”
Cordons are in place and more information would be given as it becomes available.
State Highway 3 in Stratford is closed due to an unfolding police incident. Photo / Supplied
NZTA Waka Kotahi asks motorists to follow the directions of the contractors on-site and to expect delays.
SH3 STRATFORD, TARANAKI - POLICE INCIDENT - 6AM Due to a police incident overnight, SH3 is CLOSED at Stratford, between Pembroke Rd and Monmouth Rd. Please follow instructions from contractors on-site. NB detour via Pembroke Rd, Monmouth Rd, back onto SH3. Reverse for SB. ^CS pic.twitter.com/DTggSLNJ46
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Central North Island (@WakaKotahiCNI) March 27, 2023
Northbound traffic is advised to turn left onto Pembroke Rd, then right on to Monmouth Rd and then left back onto State Highway 3 for the detour route. Southbound traffic to follow the same route but in reverse.
