Second armed police callout over man with BB gun

Photo / NZ Herald

A gun was pointed at members of the public today, the second time in two days Wellington police have had to respond to such an incident.

Just prior to 5pm today an emergency call was received reporting a man walking along a street in Naenae, Lower Hutt, pointing a pistol at people.

He had allegedly initially pointed the gun at a member of public on the street and shortly after was seen to point it again, this time at a passing vehicle.

Armed police were on the scene quickly and within minutes of arrival a man was located and taken into custody, police said.

He was allegedly carrying what police described as an authentic looking BB gun.

Yesterday armed police dealt with a man in Titahi Bay who was carrying a BB gun in a residential area and was arrested after taking it into a local pub, police said.

"In both instances a complete lack of common sense and awareness of their actions has been exhibited by the respective offenders which have resulted in an unnecessary deployment of armed police resources,'' a statement said.

"As with yesterday's incident, had the offender not complied immediately and appropriately to the directions of armed police officers the outcome could once again have turned into an avoidable tragedy of his own making.''