Police maintain visible presence

The University of Otago campus was back to normal yesterday after a shooting threat kept many...
The University of Otago campus was back to normal yesterday after a shooting threat kept many away on Wednesday. Photo by Peter McIntosh.
Police remain tight-lipped about the investigation into a shooting threat directed at the University of Otago.

Otago coastal acting area commander Inspector Mel Aitken said yesterday the source and authenticity of the threat remained under investigation.

The threat was posted to bulletin board 4chan shortly before midnight on Monday, warning people to stay away from the university on Wednesday.

An investigation team was formed and was assessing the threat and its veracity, she said.

''The investigation is continuing. There's a number of inquiries we are making.''

She would not be drawn on the numbers involved in the investigation, or what had been uncovered so far.

''We are deeming this to be serious,'' she said.

''We are giving it the response it requires.''

Insp Aitken would not comment on the authenticity of the threat until its source was confirmed, saying ''it would be a little bit naive to say it was a hollow threat''.

Police would maintain a high-visibility presence on the campus and greater North Dunedin area in conjunction with Campus Watch and the Dunedin North Community Patrol, she said.

''We are continuing with a high-visibility presence in the campus and that's 24/7,'' she said.

''We will continue that over the coming days.''

Patrols - including foot, mobile and road patrols - would be reassessed ''day-by-day''.

Police also remained silent on the tactics used on Wednesday, the day of the threat.

When asked if Dunedin AOS members were deployed to the campus area, Insp Aitken said, ''I'm not prepared to comment on the tactics we deployed''.

The campus was quiet on Wednesday, but appeared to be ''business as usual'' yesterday as students returned in preparation for the end of the semester.

''People are back down there and happy,'' she said.

University of Otago vice-chancellor Harlene Hayne told students in a statement yesterday to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to police.

''Please remain assured that the safety of our students and staff is paramount and we are doing all we can to ensure that the campus is safe and secure,'' she said.

''The police have done, and continue to do, a fantastic job. They will keep us up to date if the situation changes, and I will pass on news to you when this is possible. As you will no doubt notice, there is ongoing police presence on campus.''

Anyone with information that might help the investigation was asked to contact Dunedin police on 471-4800.

Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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