One person has been taken into custody following an assault near Whakatāne after reports of an assault at Awakeri Hot Springs.

Police confirmed they were called about the incident at 1.25pm today.

“One person was waiting to be checked over by ambulance. However, the ambulance has subsequently been stood down as [it is] not required.”

A staff member told SunLive another staff member at the hot springs had been assaulted.

“It happened up at the shop, not down at the pool. There are a lot of police officers here. But just one staff member was hit.

“People are quite safe.”

The staff member said the thermal pools are to remain open.

At the scene?

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