Gunfire in Levin force armed offenders squad to block off major street

The armed offenders squad was called to an address in Queen St in Levin.

Reports of a gunshot sparked an armed offenders squad callout a short distance from the Levin town centre this afternoon.

Several witnesses spoken to by Horowhenua Chronicle reported hearing a gunshot coming from an address in Queen St.

Witnesses said they later saw a man wearing a type of bracelet on his ankle arrested.

"Armed police responded as a precaution and the street was cordoned off while staff responded," police said in a statement.

The section of Queen St between Rugby St and Queenwood Rd was blocked off by police as members of the armed offenders squad entered the house.

As Queen St was a busy road, a large crowd of onlookers soon gathered outside the cordon.

Police released a media statement a short time ago that said a man had been taken into custody.

"This afternoon, police were made aware of an incident at an address on Queen St.

The AOS were called to the incident in Queen St, Levin.

"Armed police responded as a precaution and the street was cordoned off while staff responded. Cordons were stood down shortly after 4pm.

"A man was taken into custody on unrelated matters and is assisting police."