A bomb disposal unit has been sent to a Job Centre in Newcastle, after a man armed with a knife held several members of staff hostage, police have said.
The man has since been arrested, and all hostages released from the building, Northumbria Police confirmed.
Surrounding roads and metro stations were closed as a precaution, and a cordon was put in place while bomb disposal specialists searched the building.
A police spokesperson said: "We can confirm that the bomb disposal unit is currently on scene of the ongoing incident in Byker.
"This is there as a precaution following reports that the man could be in the possession of an explosive device."
An update was issued to confirm the man has since been arrested by officers and is in police custody.
"A search of the premises will now take place so the cordon will remain," police tweeted.
There is currently said to be “no information or intelligence” to suggest the incident is terror related, however nearby roads and student accommodation have been evacuated as a precaution.
Officers were called to Clifford Street in Byker at around 8am on Friday morning, following reports of a disturbance at the centre.
Specialist negotiators were sent to the scene, and roads surrounding the premises were closed until further notice.
It is believed the man responsible is known to Job Centre staff, and the incident is being treated as an isolated one.
Naveed Ahmed, who owns a nearby fruit shop, said he saw a number of police cars arriving into the area shortly after he opened up at 8am.
The 29-year-old, who runs Byker Fruiterers, told the Press Association: “There are about 10 or 11 police cars now and there are armoured officers surrounding the job centre.”
He said he was not sure how many staff members were inside the building.
By 11.40am, witnesses said the cordon had been lifted and police were leaving the scene.
