Police cordon in Pukekohe lifted, people can now return to The Zone shopping centre

Police at a cordon in Pukekohe have been stood down.

People can now return to The Zone shopping centre on Manukau Rd, Pukekohe, after police earlier set up a cordon following the discovery of an unidentified item in a rubbish bin.

“This object has been assessed by Explosive Odrnance Disposal (EOD) team and does not present a wider risk to the public,” police said in a statement.

“It has been removed and the cordons in the area have been stood down.”

Police thanked the public and those working at the shopping district for complying with police requests while they responded to the matter.

Earlier, members of the public were directed away from the scene as police examined the item.

A retail worker in the area said the police put up a cordon around several retail outlets in The Zone, including The Warehouse, Warehouse Stationery, and the Chemist Warehouse after an item was found in a rubbish bin outside the Chemist Warehouse.

The woman said there were four or five police vehicles in the area.

“People are coming in and asking why there are so many police here. People are concerned for the safety of workers in the area.”

The manager of Hollywood Bakery in Pukekohe said his business has been closed since about 10am with the loss of 50 to 100 customers.

“One customer came in and said ‘there is a bomb’ but I’m not sure if it is true”.