Update on Napier cordon

Police have lifted much of the cordon around the Chaucer Road area of Napier, meaning most residents can return to their homes.

However part of Chaucer Road itself will remain blocked off in the immediate area around the house at the centre of the siege, which ended yesterday.

A roadblock will be placed at the top of Chaucer Road at the junction with Napier Tce. Another road block will be placed towards the bottom of Chaucer Road at the junction with Spencer Road. Guys Hill Road will be open but it can only be accessed from its southern end on Chaucer Road South.

The cemetery which borders Chaucer Road will also remain closed for the moment.

The change to the cordon means around 11 houses on Chaucer Road will remain off limits. Residents of these houses with special requirements are asked to contact Napier Police.

Police again thank residents for their patience and understanding while they have been evacuated from their homes.

Explosives experts have now completed an examination of the property of Jan Molenaar and declared the house safe.

The house is a major crime scene and will now be handed over to CIB for a detailed forensic examination to begin. This examination will form part of the various investigations underway into the events which began on Thursday 7th May.