Armed police at incident in Castlecliff, Whanganui, after gunshot reports

Police have set up a cordon at the Cornfoot/Rangiora street corner. Photo / Bevan Conley

Three people are in police custody after an alleged firearms incident in Castlecliff this afternoon.

Whanganui police blocked off a number of streets in Castlecliff and schools went into lockdown after reports of gunshots being fired.

"We confirm that three people are now in police custody, and the schools that had been asked to keep their pupils inside have been released," a police spokeswoman said just after 3pm.

"There are still some cordons up as police finish their work in the area."

Police had earlier set up cordons on Rangiora and Manuka streets around the Seafront Rd area.

The spokeswoman said police had received two calls from members of the public, one saying that gunshots had been heard, and another that two males had been seen carrying firearms. No injuries were reported.

There was a large police presence in the area, including the armed offenders squad, a dog unit and a helicopter.

Police have blocked off both ends of Seafront Rd. Photo / Bevan Conley

However, a number of Seafront Rd residents said they didn't hear any shots and were confused about what was happening.

Aranui School principal Maryann Roberts said the school had been advised by New Zealand Police to go into lockdown. The lockdown was lifted just before 3pm, and children were able to be collected by parents and caregivers.