Levin bomb threat closes main highway

File photo / NZ Herald

There was an anxious wait for Horowhenua District Mayor Brendan Duffy and council staff today as a police bomb detector dog and handler searched the council building for explosive device.

The building was evacuated just after 2pm when police were alerted to a bomb threat in the council chambers.

A section of State Highway 1 from bath street south was cordoned off, and traffic and pedestrians were diverted away from the potential danger zone.

After a 40 minute search of the building the police handler and his dog came out of the building and gave the all clear.

Sergeant Martin Bull of the Levin police said police received a call at 1.55pm stating a bomb had been placed in the building and was due to detonate at 2.30pm.

Shortly after the deadline, the police detection dog and handler arrived from Wellington and, along with a local police sergeant went into the council chambers to search for the device.

Horowhenua District Council chief executive David Clapperton said the evacuation went as planned and staff were asked to check their work stations for any unusual objects.

The cordon was lifted at 4pm.