All clear after building evacuation

Whakatane Police evacuated the Liberty Centre in Wairaka Road as a precautionary measure this morning after being alerted to a bomb threat.

The church owned premises where a meeting was taking place was cordoned off shortly after 10.20am, along with a few nearby houses until a thorough search could be made of the building.

Nothing was found and people were allowed back into the area just before midday.

Whakatane Police are investigating what prompted the hoax threat but will not be commenting further at this time.