Social media rumours of a lockdown in Byker following reports of a man in the streets with a firearm have been dispelled by police.
On Thursday morning, police received a report that an image had been posted on social media that showed a man carrying a suspected firearm in Byker.
Officers rushed to the area to carry out a search but found that the man in question was no longer there.
Following an investigation today, police say they are confident that the man was carrying an air weapon rather than a genuine firearm.
They said there is no wider risk to the public.
A spokesperson for Northumbria Police also said despite claims on social media, there was no lockdown in force in the area.
He said: "Earlier today we received a call to report concerns about an image that had been posted on social media that showed a man carrying a suspected firearm in Byker.
"Officers were deployed to the area to carry out a search for the man but he was no longer in the area in question.
"Further CCTV enquiries have been conducted by officers, and a review of images posted on social media, and we are confident the man in question was carrying an air weapon rather than a genuine firearm.
"There is not believed to be any wider threat to the public and, despite some claims on social media, there is no lockdown in the area.
"We do have neighbourhood officers on patrol in Byker, as we do every day, and we still want to speak to the man in question who we would encourage to contact police.
"Anyone who does have information about his identity can also contact police on 101 quoting log 223 11/03/21.”
