BB gun responsible for school lockdown

Armed police at Sunset Primary School. Photo/Ben Fraser

Update:
Police said in statement the person responsible for putting a Rotorua primary school in lockdown this afternoon was found with a BB gun.

Police said they were carrying the BB gun in a "manner that understandably caused alarm and prompted a 111 phone call to police."

They thanked the member of the community for alerting police saying they did the right thing.

Upon finding the person with the BB gun police gave advice on how they should transport such weapons such as not pointing BB guns in urban areas.

Police have told Sunset Primary School it is now safe to lift its lockdown.

Earlier:
A Rotorua primary school is in lockdown with armed police combing the grounds.

A Rotorua Daily Post reporter at the scene said Sunset Primary School has been locked up and several armed police and a police dog were on the grounds.

She said police were also stationed on Ford Rd, near Pullar Park.

A police media communications spokesman said police were responding to reports of a man with what had been described as a firearm.

Police posted at Sunset Primary School. Photo/Ben Fraser

"Area patrols are being conducted to locate the individual and police are liaising with the school."

He said no further information was available at this time.

Sunset Primary School principal Niels Rasmussen said he first noticed a police presence down the road.

"We were phoned by the police informing us that they were looking for an armed offender and they wanted us to put the school on lock down, which we did.

"We followed our protocol, locked both doors, stay below the windows and shut the curtains.

"All the kids are safe. I'd like to give my compliments to the police for informing us. I did see him come through but I didn't see the gun. He walked calmly through the school with a little dog."

More to come.