Road closed as ‘suspicious item’ found, alleged threat made in Nelson

A handful of Nelson residents evacuated from their homes on Thursday night are likely to be allowed home just yet, as bomb disposal experts examine a suspicious item.

Several South Nelson homes were evacuated after police were notified of a suspicious item at a Waimea Road property.

Police were called at 5.20pm on Thursday and told about the suspicious item found in Nelson and an alleged threat being made.

A cordon was set up and a New Zealand Defence Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal team called to assess the item.

The bomb disposal team was also travelling from Christchurch.

Police said a number of homes in the area, including a section of Waimea Road and Renwick Place, had been evacuated as a precaution.

Those residents were likely to have to stay away from their homes until later on Friday to allow bomb disposal experts to examine the item.

Anyone who was affected could go to Victory Community Centre at 2 Totara Street in Nelson South, which had been set up as a temporary evacuation centre.

Deputy mayor Rohan O’Neill-Stevens urged caution.

“Those who need or who have needed to evacuate have been told directly, but really it’s about keeping out of the area, letting the response take place, trying to be cautious or courteous with some of the impacts on traffic that we’re seeing.”

O’Neill-Stevens said Waimea Road was a main thoroughfare and traffic was backed up earlier on Thursday.

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