Eight arrested after Hutt Hospital lockdown over reported firearm

Eight people are in custody following a lockdown at Hutt Hospital after reports of a person with a firearm. Police were called to High Street at approximately 10.20am on Tuesday morning. The hospital entered lockdown for a short period on police advice.

The lockdown was lifted after those allegedly involved were located and apprehended outside the facility. During searches of several vehicles belonging to the detainees, police found multiple weapons, including a loaded gun.

Hutt Valley area commander Inspector Wade Jennings stated, "This is an isolated event, and police are not seeking anybody else in relation to it". He added that there is no threat to public safety. Police intend to lay several firearms-related charges following the incident.

How it developed

• Tue 3 Nov, 2:12pmWainuiomata High School also underwent a lockdown for about an hour after a person damaged a window on campus.

Compiled from reports by Stuff, RNZ, 1News and NZ Herald.