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Tauranga Hospital has been locked down and armed police are present.��

A police spokeswoman said the hospital has been locked down “as a precaution” after the police were made aware of a threat made over the phone.��

Staff were responding to the area to assess any threat and provide reassurance, the spokeswoman said.��

A reporter at the scene said there were two armed officers at the entrance off Cameron Rd.��

Armed police at the entrance to Tauranga Hospital this morning. Photo / Alex Cairns��

A patient inside the hospital said the police “are right outside our door”.��

The patient, who asked not to be named, said they could see two policemen through a small window in the door.��

Security guards were also present. The patient understood they were in lockdown after a police callout in relation to threats.��

Pāpāmoa woman Dawn Smith said her daughter was in hospital but she had not been allowed in.��

Armed police outside Tauranga Hospital on Thursday morning. Photo / Alex Cairns��

They were having coffee when police arrived, about 10.30am.��

“While the police presence is scary given the circumstances it’s good to know that they’re looking out for us and protecting us,” she said.��

A woman who had an outpatient appointment told the��Bay of Plenty Times��that when she arrived there were police in the entrance.��

She said she asked reception but they didn’t know anything about what was happening and she was still able to go to her appointment.��

Armed police outside Tauranga Hospital on Thursday morning. Photo / Alex Cairns��

Her daughter had dropped her off and gone to find a park but was turned away when she tried to walk in.��

She said there were not many people in the building.��

A Hamilton woman outside the hospital said she was worried that she couldn’t contact her father who had been set to be discharged after surgery.��

She said there were three or four police cars and more armed officers directly outside the main hospital entry and the Emergency Department.��

Armed police at Tauranga Hospital this morning. Photo / Alex Cairns��

Staff who had been having coffee at a cafe across the road said they had heard they were not allowed in or out unless it was an emergency.��

Police told a doctor that he has to stay outside “just sit and wait”.��

It appeared some arriving vehicles were being turned away.��

The��Bay of Plenty Times��has attempted to contact the hospital for more information, including what people with appointments should do.��

More to come.��