Police take man into custody after fight reported at Gisborne Work and Income office

A witness reports seeing two men arguing before a fight broke out in the Gisborne Work and Income office.

The Gisborne Work and Income NZ office briefly closed on Wednesday after two men allegedly began fighting.

A witness told the Gisborne Herald the men were arguing in the foyer area of the Gladstone Rd office about 2pm, before a fight started between them.

“Security intervened and ushered the two men outside on to the footpath,” the witness said.

“The front doors to the offices were closed by the security staff.“

Police took one person into custody after reports of two people acting aggressively.

“Upon arrival, police spoke with the parties involved and took one person into custody,” police said in a statement.

They said inquiries into the incident were ongoing.

Steve Smits-Murray, the Ministry of Social Development’s regional commissioner for the East Coast, said the office would open as normal on Thursday morning.

“The Gisborne Work and Income office was briefly closed around 1.50, and reopened for those with appointments at around 2.30pm,” Smits-Murray said.

“We thank police for their response to this incident.”

He said further details on the incident were a police matter.