Aotea Square was evacuated after an unidentified bag was found, sparking fears of a potential bomb threat. Video / Alyse Wright
An incident described by one central city worker as a “bomb threat”, and which led police to clear Aotea Square and occupants of Aotea Centre to self-evacuate, has been resolved, police say.
“There’s a bomb threat down in Aotea. Police have locked us down – we are one of theteams working on the CRL project," Mubeen Abdul Sharif told the Herald just after 10am.
However, cordons had now been lifted, police said just before 11am.
“Police have stood cordons down at Aotea Square, after a bag was found unattended earlier this morning.
“The Police Specialist Search Group has examined the bag and there is no further cause for concern. People are free to go about their business. Police appreciate the public’s cooperation this morning.”
Sharif said up to 300 people were working at his site, with police interrupting a staff meeting in a CRL tent next to the square to tell everyone to leave the area because an unidentified suitcase had been found, Sharif said.
Police confirmed Aotea Square had been cleared after a bag was left unattended.
Building security staff at nearby Aotea Centre reported the incident to police just before 9am, Inspector Peter Raynes said.
Staff working at the centre then made the decision to self-evacuate the building, Raynes said.
Police cleared Aotea Square after an unattended bag was found this morning. Photo / Dean Purcell
Staff at Aotea Centre chose to evacuate after an unidentified bag was found, sparking fears of a potential bomb threat. Photo / Dean Purcell
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited said staff were evacuated from the Aotea Centre just before 9am after an item was found unattended.
“New Zealand Police responded immediately and cordoned off the area while investigating the item.
“They have now declared the area safe for the public and staff to return to Aotea Square and Aotea Centre.”
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited thanked police for working to clear the area, investigate and determine the area was safe, and to the public for their cooperation.
