High school locked down after speeding driver flees police

File photo / NZ Herald

A Wellington high school went into lockdown this morning after a man fleeing from police ditched his car a short distance away.

Inspector Marty Parker, of the police central communications centre, said a pursuit was initiated when the vehicle was spotted speeding on State Highway 1, just north of central Wellington, about 10.50am.

The vehicle went onto Centennial Highway and then took the Johnsonville Rd offramp, while police abandoned the chase due to the high speeds involved.

The car was located a short distance from Onslow College in Johnsonville, and police feared the offender may have fled into school.

They asked the school to go into lockdown while cordons were set up on surrounding streets and police dogs began a search.

The offender was located after a few minutes on nearby Fisher St and the school was allowed to reopen.

School principal Peter Leggat said it had been a good drill for the students.

"Police came to see us saying they were in pursuit of an offender who had dumped a car not far from the school grounds and given they were not sure of whether this person was armed or dangerous they asked us to go into lock-down as a precaution, which we did. Police apprehended the suspect and within minutes of the lockdown we could sound the all clear."

Mr Parker said the man was being spoken to by police.