Police have put a cordon around a property in Sydenham after a threat. Photo: RNZ / Nathan McKinnon
A 70-year-old man has been taken into custody in Christchurch after making threats which led to a number of homes being evacuated.
Police said the man was due in court on Tuesday charged with "threatening act towards dwelling".
Earlier on Monday, a police cordon was in place in the suburb of Sydenham and nearby houses and businesses were evacuated.
"The address will now be cleared as a precaution to ensure there is no ongoing risk to the public before cordons are stood down," police said in an update on Monday evening.
"Police would like to thank the Sydenham community for their patience and understanding as we worked through the afternoon to resolve this safely for all."
Earlier on Monday, nearby residents have told RNZ there had been a bomb threat.
Officers were called to an address on Percival St about 10.40am to reports a person was making threats.
As a precaution, police evacuated people from adjacent properties and a cordon of approximately 100m is in place around the Percival Street address.
People are asked to stay clear until the situation can be safely resolved.
Police evacuated properties in Sydenham after a threat. Photo: RNZ / Nathan McKinnon
Tennyson Street resident Leon said police told him there had been a bomb threat, and he was asked to move to Colombo Street.
Some Colombo Street businesses near the scene have also been evacuated.
A shop owner who did not wish to be named told RNZ there had been rumours of a potential bomb around the area.
"We were told to evacuate the building as quickly as possible and go at least 100 metres away and that was all the information we'd heard," she said.
Evacuated cafe worker Aidan Mytton said the situation was scary.
"I've never had to experience anything like this before. It's a little frightening I guess but everyone's evacuated so that make me feel a bit safer."
Another business owner, who did not wish to be named, told RNZ she could see at least a dozen police officers and a police dog.
"Quite a lot of us just standing round on Colombo Street evacuated, it's been going on for over an hour now," she said.
Police have put a cordon around a property in Sydenham, Christchurch after a threat. Photo: RNZ/Nathan Mckinnon
She said people were concerned about their properties and wondering what was going on.
A cafe owner told RNZ they did not know when they would be able to go back inside.
A woman who lived nearby on Beckenham St said the area was generally safe.
"We've heard there were threats in the area and we just saw lots of police cars and fire trucks at the end of our street," she said.
"It is concerning because it's not something you hear about happening in this area."
Fire and Emergency said they were assisting police.
RNZ understands residents were being let back into their homes within the cordon shortly before 6pm.
