Streets cordoned off after bags left unattended

London's bombings may be half a world away, but anxiety over terror attacks hit home in Wellington today when police and defence experts were called out three times after bags were left unaccompanied.

Streets were cordoned off in Lower Hutt, Tawa and central Wellington as police specialists, explosives dogs and Defence Force personnel investigated the suspicious items, but all were found to be harmless.

The incidents were a timely reminder after last Thursday's rush-hour explosions in London for people not to leave bags, suitcases or boxes unattended in public, Police Specialist Search Group head, Sergeant Dave Rose, said today.

"If members of the public become aware of suspicious looking items or have packages delivered to them unexpectedly, leave the article in place, evacuate to a safe distance and call the police," he said.

Police central communications Inspector Peter Stokes said people should be particularly careful around security sensitive areas such as embassies, airports and government buildings.

"Because of what's happened overseas, everyone's on a heightened alert," he told NZPA.

"People are very conscious which is good, we're becoming aware of our surroundings.

"By the same token it would help if people kept their stuff with them."

- NZPA