Armed police called to property in Morrinsville

A Twitter user posted a photo of one of the road blocks. "Multiple police blocked off roads and have rifles in #Morrinsville," the tweet said. Photo / Twitter / @JaureguiWhip

An armed offenders call-out in Morrinsville today was triggered by a call claiming a man was stood on a roof with a gun.

Armed police fired tear gas at the property on Strathmore St in the small Waikato town at around 11am. The house was surrounded for more than two hours while cordons were set up on surrounding streets and residents were told to keep inside.

Police confirmed the incident saw the AOS scrambled, but staff have cleared the house and have found no evidence that any firearm was present or had been used.

No arrests have been made and no charges laid, while police try to locate a man mentioned in the original call which alerted them to the incident.

Residents reported hearing tear gas canisters go off and police speaking through a loud hailer.

Police released a statement about 2.30pm saying that the incident had concluded.

"All police cordons have been lifted and there is no concerns for the safety of any member of the public."

They did not specify if any arrests had been made.

A Strathmore St resident, who asked not to be identified, said he saw police carrying riot shields and wearing gas masks approaching a house on the street.

"They're trying to hunt a fulla out of the house," he said.

A Twitter user posted a photo of one of the road blocks. "Multiple police blocked off roads and have rifles in #Morrinsville," the tweet said.