Ricky Wilson / Stuff
Armed police in Bardia St in Belmont after reports of a person with a gun.
A number of schools on Auckland’s north coast were closed on Thursday morning after reports of a person with a gun.
The incident was reported around 10:47 a.m., according to police.
The Ministry of Education was advised and four nearby schools were locked up “as a precaution”, they said in a statement.
Those lockdowns have since been lifted.
ZIZI SPARKS/STUFF
Belmont Primary was one of a handful of North Shore schools closed Thursday morning. (File photo)
“There is still a police cordon at the intersection of Bardia St and Moa St and locals are being asked to avoid the area.”
A police spokesman said they “cannot confirm” whether the person was caught with a gun.
The schools affected were Belmont Intermediate, Bayswater School, Takapuna Grammar and Belmont Primary.
Northcote Intermediate was also placed on lockdown. It’s unclear if that had anything to do with the Belmont incident.
The schools have been contacted for comment.
“Belmont Intermediate School is currently on lockdown – please don’t come to pick up your children,” a post on the school’s Facebook page said Thursday morning.
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“Children are all safe and happy in their classes. Classes are closed.”
A post on Bayswater School’s Facebook page said it was closed due to a “police incident in the area”.
Ricky Wilson / Stuff
Police have Bardia St.
“Please do not come to the school or call the school because you are not being attended to and doing so may disrupt the management of this incident and potentially endanger the safety of yourself and/or our staff and the student.
“We will keep you informed when the lockdown is complete.”
Belmont Primary said in a statement that it had been in lockdown due to “an incident in the area”, but was now “back to normal” just before noon on Thursday.
“All children are safe and happy. Teachers and students have followed the procedures properly.”
Takapuna Grammar also posted around 11:30 am that the school lockdown had been lifted.
“Students are safe in buildings according to the instructions of the [Ministry of Education] and police.”
Principal Mary Nixon also emailed parents to say the school was going back to its “regular day schedule.”
“We are very proud of how quickly everyone responded,” she said.
Ricky Wilson / Stuff
Armed police hide behind a car in Auckland’s Belmont.
“There are rumors about incidents at the school. These are unfounded.
“Please ensure that the school goes back to our usual day and that the staff and students were not involved in an actual incident on the ground.”
North Shore MP Simon Watts said on Facebook that police had told him there had been a chase and an “incident” in Bardia St.
“I have spoken to the police and they confirm that the investigation into Bardia St is ongoing and that the driver of the stolen vehicle has been arrested,” he said.
LAWRENCE SMITH/STUFF
Takapuna Grammar was also in lockdown on Thursday morning. The closure was lifted around 11:30 a.m. (File photo)
“As a parent and father, I acknowledge the stress for both parents and students from this morning’s incidents and thank both the police and especially the teachers for their swift efforts to bring the situation under control and take care of our children.”
An employee at a podiatric clinic across the street from Northcote Intermediate said the lockdown had been lifted and they could see students taking to the streets around 12:30 p.m.
A stuff the reporter said several police cars blocked Bardia St at the intersection with Lake Rd and there was heavy traffic.
Armed police were on the scene.
MORE TO COME.