Former police officer threatened by mask-wearing men following Whangarei robbery

A former police officer has been threatened after trying to stop two mask-wearing men following an aggrivated robbery at a Whangarei bank.

Northland Police are investigating the aggravated robbery of ANZ Bank on the corner of Bank St and Rust Ave in central Whangarei.

Police said shortly after 11.30am two armed men wearing disguises have entered the bank and demanded cash.

Police are looking for two offenders who ran off.

Gavin Benney, former police officer and now Whangarei District Councillor, said he was threatened with what he believed was a firearm after he tried to intervene and stop two mask-wearing men who were running past Forum North.

Mr Benney backed off and the men ran towards Central Ave. Mr Benney got into a car and went searching for the men but could not find them.

Whangarei Intermediate School principal Hayley Read said the school went into lockdown but were told by police they could come out of lockdown just before 1pm.

She said the students were in classrooms continuing with their school programme during the lockdown.

Police said no one was injured during the robbery.

A reporter at the bank shortly after the robbery said there were three police cars outside the bank, which was closed.

He said there were at least four staff being spoken to on Rust Ave while police, including Inspector Al Symonds, were speaking to staff inside the bank.

Meanwhile, workers at businesses on Rust Ave did not see anything.

If you have any information that could help the police investigation, please call 111 immediately or contact Whangarei Police (09) 430 4500.