A man who made threats at the Dunedin District Court this week sparked extra security at three locations around the city.
The public were locked out of the Dunedin Courthouse, in lower Stuart St, yesterday morning after an incident on Monday, which the Otago Daily Times understands involved remarks about a firearm.
When people were eventually allowed into court, a security officer was stationed on the main door to let people in and out throughout the day.
Ministry of Justice acting health safety and security general manager Suzanne Boslem said the measures were in place after ''police received information of concern''.
Police would not provide details, but confirmed the reaction stemmed from an incident on Monday.
No arrest had been made, a spokesman said yesterday.
''Police have spoken to an individual and inquiries into the reported information of concern are ongoing,'' he said.
As well as the court, the Public Defence Service offices in Rattray St were under the spotlight, too.
''Additional security measures'' were in place there, said a ministry spokesman.
Corrections staff in South Dunedin had been the target of the man's threats last week, southern operations director Chris O'Brien-Smith said.
It is understood on that occasion the aggressive comments included references to a weapon and arson.
''The safety of staff is our ultimate priority. Police were notified and we increased security at our Dunedin sites in response, and counselled staff to maintain additional vigilance,'' Ms O'Brien-Smith said.
''The Dunedin South offices had already undergone a substantial security upgrade last year, that included controlled entry to the site.''
The man understood to be behind the threats is on bail on another charge until next month.
