Reports of armed gunman in Featherston yesterday prove false

Reports of an armed gunman near a Featherston school yesterday have turned out to be false.

Wairarapa Police Tactical Coordinator Senior Sergeant Carolyn Watson says Police were called to St Theresa's School just after 11 o'clock yesterday after students reported seeing a man armed with what they described as a rifle. Armed police and dog units responded, but were unable to locate the person and were stood down.

"We were again called just after 2pm yesterday afternoon to reports of a male with a rifle and a knife, and again, were unable to locate any weapon or person fitting this description."

She says today Police have spoken with a pupil at St Theresa's School, who appears to have a vivid imagination.

"However Police treat these types of incidents extremely seriously and yesterday the focus was on keeping students and staff at St Theresa's School safe, whilst we investigated the reports."

Senior Sergeant Watson says any calls for service where there are reports of offenders armed with weapons will always be treated with the utmost priority.

"We will be having a chat with pupils at St Theresa's School next week to reflect on yesterday's incident."