UPDATED
A person has been taken into police custody after allegedly being found with a weapon near a Tauranga school.
Police were called to a property on Cameron Rd in Gate Pā at around 8.50am.
Parents of students at Tauranga Girls’ College told NZME their children had reported a lockdown at the college.
One parent said when she dropped off her daughter at the college this morning, a teacher came rushing out to bring the student inside, saying the school was in lockdown.
She said there were several police officers walking around the area.
In a statement to NZME, Tauranga Girls’ College acting principal Alice Cade said there was an “incident” this morning out the front of the school.
Cade said police were called and the school went into lockdown on their advice.
The lockdown has now been lifted after the person of interest was taken into custody.
“I can reassure you that all staff and students are safe and are now carrying on to classes for the day.”
Police said they were making inquiries after a person was reported to be holding an alleged weapon in Gate Pā.
“A nearby school was advised to be placed into a lockdown, however, this has since been stood down.
“The person alleged to have a weapon was located, where police found a knife in their possession, and taken into custody.”
Police continue to make inquiries into the incident.