Cessnock Police Station has been evacuated as a precaution after a man entered with a hand grenade he was trying to lawfully hand in.

Police say they’re not treating the incident as suspicious or deliberate.

Cessnock Police Station has been evacuated as a precaution after a device was brought in to be lawfully surrendered. Pedestrians and motorists are urged to avoid the area. Police are not treating it as suspicious or deliberate.

— NSW Police (@nswpolice) August 22, 2018

All vehicles and pedestrians are being told to avoid the area.

The Australian Defence Force is being called in to safely remove the device.