A knifeman who took members of staff hostage at a job centre has been arrested, police say.

Officers were called at 8am on Friday following reports of a disturbance in Byker, Newcastle.

They said the man entered the building and "several" workers were being held.

Image: Police say a man has now been arrested following the incident

Armed police along with specialist negotiators were at the scene, and nearby roads and Byker Metro station were closed as a precaution.

The staff were later released as experts spoke to the man, who is believed to be known to the job centre.


Image: Bomb squad officers were also called to the scene

Bomb squad officers were also at the site in a precautionary move amid reports he could have had an explosive device.

There were no reports of any injuries and the incident was not treated as terror-related.