Police are working to recover a body in the water near Chapel St in Tauranga.

It comes after people reported a heavy police presence in the area this morning, and “atrocious” traffic.

A police spokeswoman said the public were asked to avoid the area while police worked.

She said formal identification of the body was yet to take place.

Police were asked whether this morning’s activities were linked to the search for missing Tauranga man Jaismon.

He was last seen at around 10pm in Otūmoetai on Thursday, and his family were concerned for him.

Police searched the Tauranga Harbour area with Coastguard and Land Search and Rescue but did not find him, police said on Saturday.

Surf Lifesaving NZ Eastern Region manager Chaz Gibbons-Campbell said the search and rescue team from the Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service was also involved.

“We think he went into the water on Thursday night, at about 10pm,” Gibbons-Campbell said.

He said the search area included the harbour around Chapel St and the bridges.