Police said a man was trying to lawfully surrender a hand grenade when he took it into Cessnock police station on Wednesday, causing an evacuation.

A man entered the Maitland Road premises about 3pm with the weapon.

Police are not treating the incident as suspicious.

Earlier report:

Cessnock police station has been evacuated after a man entered with a hand grenade on Wednesday afternoon.

Australian Defence Force officers have been called to remove the grenade from the police station.

Everyone, including the man who entered the building with the grenade, has left the premises.

Police would not comment on whether anyone had been arrested.

Motorists and pedestrians are being urged to avoid the area.

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