Nelson schools evacuated after ‘concerning’ email

Police are making enquiries after six Nelson schools received an email of a “concerning nature” on Monday morning.

The schools that received the email include St Joseph’s School, Tahunanui School, Victory School, Nelson Intermediate, Nelson College and Nayland College.

There was a heavy police presence outside Nelson Intermediate and Victory School with both schools being evacuated just after 9am.

“These sorts of threats are taken seriously, and enquiries will be made into their source,” a police spokesperson says.

“Police staff are on site at those locations and are working to ensure they are safe, however at this time we do not believe there is a genuine risk.”

Nelson Intermediate School said it had closed school for the day and bundled its students out to Broad Fields nearby, from where parents would be able to collect them.

“Everyone is safe and happy but could you please come and collect your children from the Broads Fields on Tipahi St, opposite the hospital as soon as possible,” the school said.

Traffic was impacted by cordons in some places, and motorists were being asked to be patient. The Railway Reserve had also been closed to cyclists and pedestrians.

Ministry of Education Hautū (leader) Te Tai Runga (South), Nancy Bell, said The Ministry understood that some schools in Nelson received an email threat which police are following up.

“The schools will activate their emergency management procedures. We have contacted them to offer support, if needed.”

Nelson Mayor Nick Smith commented on the incident on Monday morning.

“This disruption and extra stress is the last thing our students, teachers, principals and parents need in the last week of term before Christmas.

“The police and our schools have Nelson’s full support as they manage this threat, keep our children safe and work to identify and hold to account the perpetrator.”

Enquiries continue, schools are cleared

An update from police at 4.50pm on Monday confirmed that all schools involved were cleared by 3pm and police have left the scene. Cordons have also been lifted.

A spokesperson says that enquiries are continuing.

“Police do not believe there was a genuine risk but these sorts of threats are taken seriously.”