Businesses including a hotel, offices and several shops are now back in operation after being evacuated for 80 minutes in the Boulcott Street and Plimmer Steps area of central Wellington today.
Inspector Paris Razos, acting Wellington Area Emergency Response Manager, said the premises were evacuated as a precautionary measure late this morning after the discovery of what appeared to be a suspicious looking metal box in a stairwell of Plimmer Towers.
“The packaging and location of the item concerned both the person who found it and police. Checks were made by Specialist Search Group officers and an explosives detector dog and handler while further inquiries were made.”
Several commercial premises were evacuated and people were able to return to work once police were satisfied that the item was not suspicious and had been inadvertently dropped by a cleaner.
Police thank people working in the area for their cooperation.
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Released by: Kaye Calder, Public Affairs, Police National Headquarters, Tel: 04 460 2986 or 027 241 6305.