Buildings around Wellington Police Station have been evacuated after a suspicious object was found in the station's lobby.
The police station was evacuated shortly before 4pm, and other buildings in the vicinity of Victoria St have also now been emptied as a precaution, police said.
An "item of concern" was spotted in the foyer of the station, police said in a statement. No further details of the item have been released.
A 44-year-old man is now in custody, police said this evening.
It comes after Wellington Central Police Station and several surrounding buildings were evacuated around 4pm when an "item of concern" was spotted in the stations' foyer.
A number of controlled explosions were carried out by the bomb squad andthe item made safe.
The cordons have now been lifted and occupants allowed back into the buildings.
Investigations are continuing in to the incident, police said.
Police officers watch as members of the Defence Force bomb squad remotely operate their robot. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Earlier
Buildings around Wellington Police Station were evacuated after a suspicious object was found - and destroyed in controlled explosions - in the station's lobby.
The police station was evacuated shortly before 4pm, and other buildings in the vicinity of Victoria St were also emptied as a precaution, police said.
An "item of concern" was spotted in the foyer of the station, police said in a statement. No further details of the item have been released.
The evacuees wait outside the cordon. Photo / Melissa Nightingale
A loud bang was heard in the area following the evacuation, a Herald reporter at the scene said.
Nothing can be seen from the explosion. Those gathered at the intersection of Victoria and Willis Sts let off gasps at the sound.
A second loud bang followed shortly after.
A forensic investigator at work in the foyer of the Wellington Central Police Station. Photo / Mark Mitchell
A police officer at the scene confirmed they were both controlled explosions.
Cordons are in place around the area.
Motorists are being warned to expect delays in the CBD and use alternative routes.
An NZDF Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Police officers watch as members of the Defence Force bomb squad pack-up after their robot safely detonated a suspicious suitcase. Photo / Mark Mitchell
A defence force bomb squad member. Photo / Mark Mitchell
A forensic investigator at work in the foyer of the Wellington Central Police Station. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Victoria St is blocked around the station, and Willis St between Karo Dr and Vivian St is down to two lanes while repairs are carried out on a trolley-bus wire pole that was damaged in a crash this morning.
Police operations and functions in Wellington will continue as normal, police have assured.
