Palmerston North police lift cordons following operation in Highbury, apologise to residents

Police have apologised to the public for the disruption during an operation in the Palmerston North suburb of Highbury. Photo / Dean Purcell

Cordons have been lifted following a police operation in the Palmerston North suburb of Highbury, with an apology to members of the public for the disruption.

People were advised to avoid Brentwood Ave and its surrounds this afternoon as police launched an operation in the area.

In an update around 8.30pm, police said residents were now able to return to their homes.

Manawatū Area Commander Inspector Ross Grantham apologised to people in the area who were frightened or displaced.

He assured the public the operation was necessary.

Police said the person of interest they were seeking hadn’t been found.

It comes after cordons were set up in the same suburb yesterday evening after a man pointed a gun at police.

He is also believed to have pointed a firearm at a member of the public, police said.

Officers spotted the man walking in Highbury about 8.30pm and approached him as they believed there was a warrant for his arrest.

“Police stopped nearby, and approached the man who had since walked to a nearby address on Brentwood Ave. He was confirmed to have a warrant for his arrest. However, after police attempted to take him into custody, he became agitated, presenting a firearm at the officer before fleeing the scene,” a police spokesperson said in a statement.

“He is also believed to have been involved in an earlier reported firearms incident, where a gun was allegedly pointed towards a member of the public while walking on Featherston St.”

Police put cordons in place around the area, and responded with armed officers as a precaution. However, the man was not located and police are still working to locate him.

“We will not accept violence or attempted violence against our officers, or anyone in the community. We are out there every day working to keep our communities safe in what is increasingly a hostile environment,” the spokesperson said.

“We are providing support to the officer involved in this incident – while they were fortunately not physically harmed, the impact on this officer cannot be underestimated.

“If you saw the incident, or know the person involved, and have not yet reported information to us, please contact police on 105 either online or over the phone and reference file number: 250212/1858.”

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