A SUSPECTED knifeman was arrested in his pants after allegedly storming a jobcentre with a fake bomb strapped to his chest and taking people hostage.

Armed cops and bomb squads swarmed around Byker area of the city this morning after a man raced into the building at around 8am.

10 Armed police earlier circled the job centre with the man still inside Credit: PA:Press Association

Man led away in his underwear after hostage situation at job centre in Newcastle. Local business gave me footage they filmed. @BBCLN pic.twitter.com/ocotUSe0ZP — Jonathan Swingler (@JDSwingler) June 9, 2017

10 Police cordoned off the area around the incident today Credit: ncjMedia

10 Police negotiators were on the scene earlier to secure the release of the hostages Credit: ncjMedia

10 Armed cops were seen at the site of the siege, along with police dogs Credit: ncjMedia

Specially trained officers negotiated with the alleged knifeman, 28, who is believed to be known to staff at the centre.

All hostages have now been released and a man has been arrested, police confirmed.

Northumbria Police tweeted: “The man has been arrested by officers and is in police custody.

“A search of the premises will now take place so the cordon will remain.”

Police said the man had a fake explosive device strapped to his chest, prompting them to call in bomb disposal experts as a "precaution".

10 Police confirmed bomb disposal experts were called to the scene today Credit: PA:Press Association

10 Bomb disposal teams were seen driving into the police cordon Credit: North News and Pictures

Officers say they arrived at the scene nine minutes after the incident was reported and cordoned off the area.

Roads around the building were closed and nearby student accommodation was evacuated as a precaution.

Armed cops and dog handlers were spotted at the police cordon amid tense scenes.

10 Credit: ncjMedia

Police earlier said the knifeman was holding several hostages

10 Cops said they believed the hostage taker is known to job centre staff Credit: ncjMedia

All of the people being held in the building were released by 8.30am and the suspect surrendered to police at 11.15am.

It was at this point that police found the potential explosive device to be fake.

The alleged knifeman was arrested on suspicion of threats to kill and remains in police custody at this time.

Northumbria Police Assistant Chief Constable Darren Best has now paid tribute to the officers who responded to the incident this morning.

He 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."

He added: "A full investigation will take place and there will be further activity in the area throughout the day.

"However, we want to thank the people of Newcastle for working with us today."

10 Police said nearby student accommodation had been evacuated as a precaution Credit: ncjMedia

An ambulance has arrived on Brinkburn street in #Byker pic.twitter.com/a628aCAUzX — Metro Radio News (@MetroRadioNews) June 9, 2017

10 CCTV footage shows the police cordon around the site Credit: NECATraffic : Twitter

Byker Metro station has been re-opened since the incident and all the road closures have been lifted.

Those evacuated have also been allowed back in their respective buildings.

A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: "Nobody was injured during the incident and police want to thank the public for their patience as we brought this to a safe conclusion."

Police have since said that they do not believe the incident to have been terror-related.

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