Police call for responsible gun use following armed incident near Puriri

Wednesday, 3 September 2014 - 4:09pm

Waikato Police are currently speaking to a man following an alleged armed incident near the Hauraki settlement of Puriri earlier today.

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Martyn Hughes of the Thames-Coromandel CIB said emergency services were alerted to reports of shots being fired at a Neavesville Valley property about 1.35pm.

"Initial reports were that a firearm was pointed by a man at a neighbour after that person went outside to investigate the noise of several shots.

"As a result local Police converged on the area and requested the assistance of the Waikato Armed Offenders Squad (AOS), a team of Police Negotiators and the Auckland based Eagle helicopter."

Mr Hughes said once the area was cordoned and contained and a voice appeal was commenced.

"As a result of that the AOS have cleared the property and we are now speaking to a 69-year-old man from that address to establish just what, if any, offences have been committed.

"Situations like todays are always fraught with risk and Police have to consider the worse possible scenarios. Because of this cordons have to be established and access to areas restricted inconveniencing large numbers of people but this is always done with the safety of the public in mind."

Mr Hughes said Police supported the safe, lawful use of firearms and asked all shooters to consider the environment in which they are operating and who may be affected by their shooting.

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