Byker police incident Katie Collings

What will happen to jobseekers who missed appointments?

Jobseekers who missed their appointments at the Byker JobCentre due to the alleged hostage situation on Friday will not face sanctions, the Department of Work and Pensions has confirmed.



(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

The JobCentre Plus on Clifford Street in Byker was the scene of an armed stand-off after a man allegedly took staff hostage on Friday morning.

The suspect is alleged to have had a knife and a fake bomb strapped to his chest.

A large police presence descended on the street at 8am, with armed officers, ambulances and two bomb disposal squads in attendance.

A cordon was placed around the area with multiple streets closed to the public and Metros were suspended between Byker and St James’ while police dealt with the incident.

Jobseekers who missed their appointments at the Byker JobCentre due to the alleged hostage situation on Friday will not face sanctions, the Department of Work and Pensions has confirmed.

The JobCentre Plus on Clifford Street in Byker was the scene of an armed stand-off after a man allegedly took staff hostage on Friday morning.

The suspect is alleged to have had a knife and a fake bomb strapped to his chest.

A large police presence descended on the street at 8am, with armed officers, ambulances and two bomb disposal squads in attendance.

A cordon was placed around the area with multiple streets closed to the public and Metros were suspended between Byker and St James’ while police dealt with the incident.

A police spokesman said that searches of the building and of other properties in the area will continue throughout the day, but added that all the road closures have been lifted.

The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) — thee government department that oversees JobCentres and benefit payments — has now confirmed that no one who missed their appointments due to the incident would face sanctions.

A spokesman for the DWP, when asked whether claimants would face any penalty for missing their appointments, said:

“No, all appointments are being rearranged.

“Our local JobCentre colleagues will be in touch with all the people who missed their appointments to arrange a new meeting at a convenient time.”

The JobCentre Plus on Clifford Street is expected remain shut for the duration of Friday.