Threatening note closes Massey University office

  • 07/10/2015
Massey University campus (Supplied)
Massey University campus (Supplied)

Police have cleared part of the Massey University Palmerston North campus following a threatening note which forced a precautionary evacuation.

The university is the third tertiary institution to be hit with a threatening message in as many days.

Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey says a note was received threatening staff in the contact centre on the Manawatu campus.

Police say they take the threats seriously and evacuated part of the campus while they conducted a thorough search of the area.

"Police have cleared the area and while they are satisfied there is no direct threat to members of the university, there will be an increase in security over the next few days," a spokesman says.

They have asked the public to stay away from the area for the next few hours while police conduct their search.

The contact centre was relocated and the university's main switchboard was closed.

The latest threat comes hours after a bomb scare at Wellington's Victoria University Murphy Building which cause an evacuation. No suspicious items were found.

A post on an online forum also threatened Otago University with a mass shooting.

"We are aware there have been threats made against Otago University and Victoria University over the past two days. So far those threats have come to nothing but, at this stage, keeping our students safe is our key priority," Mr Maharey says.

Police want to hear from anyone who may have information about the threats.

Anyone who knows anything about the threat should call (06) 351 3600 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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