Arrest made after Flaxmere incident drew armed police

Police outside the Work and Income Flaxmere service centre. Photo / Paul Taylor.

A man has been arrested for making a threat understood to have been directed at Flaxmere’s Work and Income service centre on Tuesday.

About 4.30pm on Tuesday two armed officers remained stationed outside the Swansea Rd premises.

Police said soon afterwards staff responded after a person made a threat to “a business” on Swansea Rd.

Hawke’s Bay Today understand the threat was a shooting threat directed at Work and Income.

A police spokeswoman said a 32-year-old man was arrested and summonsed to appear in court on a charge of “speaks threateningly” in relation to a threat made over the phone.

Regional Public Service Commissioner Karen Bartlett said the office was locked down for a short time on Tuesday afternoon following a threat.

“We have zero tolerance for aggression or abuse towards our staff, contractors, and the public we serve,” she said.

As it was a police matter, there was no further comment from the department.