UPDATE 5.07PM: Police and members of the Armed Offenders Squad attended a property on East Bank Road in Thornton, at around 2.30pm.

A police spokesperson says they attended after receving reports of a male possibly with a firearm.

"There have been no injuries.

"There is currently no access to East Bank Road from Thornton Road."

EARLIER:

Armed Police are currently in the Thornton area, west of Whakatane, assisting police.

A caller to the 0800 SUNLIVE news hotline, says there multiple armed officers in the area.

'The school has been evacuated and the kids are at the Edgecumbe fire station.

'East Bank Road is also closed.”

A police spokesperson says AOS are assisting police in the area in relation to an incident in which a male on a property is believed to have a firearm.

'We would ask people to follow the directions of emergency services.”

At the scene?

Call 0800 SUNLIVE or email photos to newsroom@thesun.co.nz