A 50-year-old man has been arrested following threats to security staff outside the Work and Income office in the Christchurch suburb of Linwood just before midday today.
The incident caused the Ministry of Social Development to close all its Canterbury offices as a precaution while the police tried to find the man, who had threatened to return with a firearm.
Acting district commander Peter Read said police were able to speak with him on the phone and meet shortly after 1.30pm.
Mr Read said no firearm was sighted by the security staff, nor was one located during a search of a residential property.
The arrested man is due to appear in the Christchurch District Court on Thursday.
