Suspect with knife and imitation explosive device strapped to his chest arrested after holding staff hostage at premises in Byker

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

A man who took people hostage at a jobcentre in Newcastle upon Tyne had a fake explosive device strapped to his chest, said police.

The 28-year-old walked into the Byker Jobcentre Plus on Clifford Street at 8am on Friday brandishing a knife, Northumbria police said.

Officers were called following reports of a disturbance. Specialist negotiators arrived at the scene, and roads around the premises were closed. Just over two hours after the siege began, Northumbria police said all the hostages had been released.

The man surrendered at 11.15am, when he was arrested for making threats to kill. It was at that point police confirmed the explosive device was fake.

Assistant chief constable Darren Best said: “In recent weeks we have heard many positive stories about the police and how quickly they have responded to some of the atrocities we have witnessed in London and Manchester.



“When we first received the call this morning there were very real concerns that this individual could have caused serious harm and to be on the scene in a matter of minutes is a fantastic response.



“It must have been particularly traumatising for those staff members who were kept inside the premises, but we were able to secure their release within just half an hour of arriving on scene.



“Our specialist negotiators engaged with the man very early on and their efforts are one of the main reasons that this incident was brought to a safe conclusion and that nobody was injured.



“We know that this would have been a very concerning incident for members of the public, particularly in light of events over the past few weeks, and we want to thank the public for their patience.”



Police said they were called to reports of a man who was known to jobcentre staff “causing a disturbance”.



Roads around the jobcentre were put on lockdown and nearby student halls were evacuated. Byker metro station was also closed and no trains were allowed to pass through as a precaution.

The police described the incident as isolated. No one was hurt.

Photos from the scene show the road taped off and several police cars and uniformed officers.