Bomb squad defuse threat

The discovery of a suspicious device at a service station last night saw roads closed and trains stopped as a Defence Force bomb squad was called in.

The bomb squad was notified after staff at the Tawa BP service station, on the corner of Main Rd and Tawa St, found the device just before 10pm.

Police Inspector Marty Parker said the device was made up of electrical wires and so responding officers decided to heighten the risk level with firefighters put on stand by. They sent several appliances to a nearby area.

Police would not give further description of the device.

The New Zealand Defence Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron was deployed and by about 1.50am the device had been deconstructed and confirmed as not explosive.

Traffic was closed to parts of Tawa St, Main Rd and The Drive.

Tranz Metro stopped all trains between Takapu Rd and Porirua as the tracks run through the area of concern.

The headmaster of Tawa College made the school's hall available in the event of a neighbourhood evacuation.

- © Fairfax NZ News