Police investigating IRD mailroom incident

Upper Hutt Police were alerted to a suspicious package containing white powder this morning. The envelope had been delivered to IRD and opened by an employee in the mail room.

On discovery of the powder, IRD staff commenced evacuation procedure Police cordons were positioned to keep members of the public from entering the building.

Preliminary ESR analysis suggests the powder is not a dangerous substance. As a precaution, IRD staff who had contact with the package underwent the decontamination process through the Fire Service.

Upper Hutt Area Commander Inspector Michael Hill says, "At this stage the powder does not appear to be harmful to the public. We are conducting a criminal investigation to identify and speak with the offender."