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Hamilton Police awaiting arrival of bomb squad ask public to stay away from area of cordon

Friday 14 December 2012, 2:11PM

By Hamilton City Council

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HAMILTON

As they evacuate nearby houses as a precaution, Hamilton Police dealing with the discovery of a piece of unexploded ordnance are asking members of the public to stay clear of the area.

Shift Manager, Senior Sergeant Andrew O'Reilly, said Police were called to a Willoughby St address about 10.40am.

"Workers removing a house discovered the device under a drainage pipe and did the right thing by calling Police.

"The item was left in situ while immediate neighbours were evacuated to a safe area. The cordon currently in place is the area between the intersections of Willoughby, Richmond and Abbotsford Streets."

Mr O'Reilly said at first glance the ordnance appears to be a mortar round but a Defence Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal team on its way down from Auckland would confirm if this was the case and if the item is inert or not.

"Until they have given us the all clear the area will remain cordoned off and we're asking people to stay away from the area of concern.

"We've spoken to nearby play centres and a school who have been asked to contact parents and advise them of the situation and the possible need for alternative arrangements to uplift children."