"Man charged after threats to Work and Income"

A 52-year-old Gisborne man has been charged with threatening to kill after he allegedly threatened to shoot Work and Income staff.

Senior Sergeant Steve Sutherland of Gisborne Police said the man allegedly called the Work and Income national contact centre around 10.15am today. He said that if his wishes were not met, he had a gun and would go to the Gisborne Work and Income office and shoot staff.

The Gisborne office was immediately closed and police were advised. The man was found about an hour later and surrendered himself to police without further incident. The Work and Income office was then reopened.

Mr Sutherland said an investigation into the incident was underway.

“Police take these threats very seriously and we will prosecute anyone who makes these types of phone calls or threatens staff in any way. There are serious consequences for this type of activity,” Mr Sutherland said.

The man appeared in the Gisborne District Court today and was released on bail to appear again on 17 November.

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