Westbrook School gets kids inside when burglar on the loose

Westbrook School went into voluntary lockdown for a short time. Photo / File

Westbrook School pupils were brought inside from a morning break a few minutes early today after reports someone who had allegedly committed a burglary could cut through the school while fleeing police.

The school went into voluntary lockdown due to the police presence in the area.

Police responded to reports of a man acting suspiciously on Carter Drive in Rotorua at around 11am.

The man fled from police and officers at the scene were looking for him.

The man was unarmed and there was no risk to members of the public's safety.

Police have arrested one person in relation to the incident.

Westbrook School principal Colin Watkins said at morning tea time for the school a police officer said there had been a burglary on Carter Drive nearby.

"They said the perpetrator had been seen jumping fences in the streets adjacent to the school trying to elude them.

"As a precaution, there was no suggestion of firearms involved, we rang the bell a bit early to get the kids back inside. We thought it was in the best interests to stay inside for a while."

Watkins said he believed the perpetrator had since been apprehended.

"There were a lot of sirens in the area."