UPDATED 6.14pm A man has been arrested after a suspected bomb was found in a Wellington police station this afternoon

A 44-year-old man is now in custody, police said this evening.

It comes after Wellington Central Police Station and several surrounding buildings were evacuated around 4pm when an “item of concern” was spotted in the stations’ foyer.

A number of controlled explosions were carried out by the bomb squad and the item made safe.

The cordons have now been lifted and occupants allowed back into the buildings.

Investigations are continuing in to the incident, police said.

Victoria St was cordoned off and the road blocked while the station was evacuated and the item examined.

The New Zealand Defence Force’s explosive ordnance disposal team was called in and rendered the item safe, using a series of small, controlled explosion, police said in a statement.

“Police would like to thank the public for their patience while emergency services responded to the incident, particularly those in buildings that were evacuated,” the statement said.

Police did not say what the item was or whether it was a viable explosive device.

“Investigations into the incident are ongoing including further examination of the item and the scene,” police said.

The front counter at the station will be closed while the investigation is carried out.

All other police functions will operate as normal.