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A police officer stands next to the perimeter set up around the New Westminster courthouse.
Photo : - / Ben Nelms
Published at 4:54 p.m. EST
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Police in New Westminster, Metro Vancouver, are asking residents and workers around the courthouse and Douglas College to evacuate the area in response to a threat that was received around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.
As a precaution, streets were also closed to traffic.
The exact nature of the threat has not been revealed, but authorities are taking it seriously. They expect street closures to continue throughout the day.
We consider every threat real until we can prove otherwise
says Sergeant Andrew Leaver of the New Westminster Police Service.
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People gather outside after Douglas College was evacuated due to a police incident at the courthouse in New Westminster, Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
Photo : - / Ben Nelms
He adds that the operation is a team effort that involves several agencies, including the Integrated Emergency Response Team and Greater Vancouver Police Dog Services. Transit police, firefighters and paramedics were also called.
Police emphasize public safety as their top priority. She asks people to be patient and follow the rules while they deal with the situation.
We will provide updates as they become available
said Sergeant Leaver.
More details to come
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