Police focus on a small pile of items on an empty section in Christchurch after responding to a bomb threat. Photo / Kurt Bayer
Police focus on a small pile of items on an empty section in Christchurch after responding to a bomb threat. Photo / Kurt Bayer
A package containing what is suspected to be a bomb and ammunition has been found at a vacant section in Christchurch this afternoon.
Canterbury District Commander Superintendent John Price said the Defence Force bomb squad had now made the package safe.
"Police have located a package containing a suspected explosivedevice and ammunition at a vacant address on Newcastle Street in Christchurch," he said.
The police bomb disposal van arrived at the scene on Newcastle St in Phillipstown, Christchurch, and a 33-year-old man has been arrested.
Police, Defence Force, Fire and Emergency and St John swarmed the area around after a report of suspicious items at a property.
One resident on nearby Harrow St saying there was a "big" police presence.
The woman walked down the road to try and ask a police officer what was going on and he told her it wasn't a drill but couldn't say what it was.
"There's an empty section which is full of police cars and police, lots of them," she said.
"A fire engine was parked opposite but that's all I know - there's something going on."
A Christchurch woman who recently drove past the scene said she counted 23 police cars in the area and said it was "very strange" to have so many in one area.
