Armed incident in Penrose

Police have cordoned a scene in Penrose where an armed man ensconsed himself in a Westpac Bank on Great South Road at about 4.30 this afternoon.

Nine staff members from the branch who were also in the bank have just come out of it unharmed and it's thought they were not directly threatened by the man, believed to be a 41 year-old who arrived at the bank in a wheelchair.

The man has threatened self-harm and Police Armed Offenders Squad and the Police Negotiating Team are at the scene. They have made contact with him and are evaluating the situation as it unfolds.

Motorists are advised that Great South Rd is closed between the motorway on-ramp near One Tree Hill College and Rockfield Rd in Penrose.



ENDS
Issued by Noreen Hegarty
Auckland City Police Communications Manager
Ph 09 302 6947 or 0274-951-589
Website: www.police.govt.nz