Police cordons lifted in central Dunedin after bomb squad detonates suspicious package

A suspicious package which saw part of central Dunedin cordoned off was not a bomb.

Area Commander for Otago Coastal Inspector Jason Guthrie said the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squad detonated the package and it was found to be inert.

All the cordons have been lifted allowing people back into the area.

Police were notified of a suspicious package near a vacant building on Moray Place earlier this afternoon.

Police will now launch an investigation into the origins of the package.​

Earlier in the afternoon office workers and supermarket shoppers were evacuated as police responded to a bomb scare in central Dunedin.

A witness told the Otago Daily Times the scare was believed to centre on reports of a suspicious package at the NZ Post/Kiwibank branch in Moray Place.

People in neighbouring buildings were evacuated amid a heavy police presence.

"The police came into the building and said 'Police are here, everyone leave,'" an office worker told the ODT.

A Countdown supermarket was also evacuated.

Detectives were on the scene wearing body protection.

Police cars blocked the entrance to the area and cordon tape was put up.

Buildings in and around the intersection of Moray Place and Great King St were evacuated and cordons were in place.

The Christchurch-based Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squad from the New Zealand Defence Force were called in to deal with a bomb scare in central Dunedin.

If members of the public have any concerns or wish to ask any questions they can visit the Glenroy Auditorium on Harrop St where Police will be on site.