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A knifeman who stormed a job centre in Newcastle has been arrested in his underwear after barricading himself inside the building while taking staff hostage.

Bomb disposal teams have now arrived at the scene after witnesses reported seeing the man with something strapped to his body.

Five members of staff are believed to have been released with one man being kept inside.

The final man being held inside the building is believed to have now been released and the assailant has been arrested.

It is understood the knifeman was already known to staff at the job centre.

BBC reporter Jonathan Swingler was at the scene as the nearly-naked man was marched from the building.

Police vans raced to the scene on Clifford Street and closed off roads in Byker at around 8am this morning, as witnesses reported a man armed with a knife at the centre.

Brinkburn Street was closed at the junction with Shields Road.

(Image: Andy Commins/Daily Mirror) (Image: MDG) (Image: Newcastle Chronicle) (Image: Chronicle Live WS)

Police said bomb disposal vans were at the scene “as a precaution following reports that the man could be in the possession of an explosive device".

Metro Radio News say police have revealed the explosive device was found to be fake.

A Newcastle Chronicle reporter is at the scene and confirmed an ambulance had arrived - but did not have sirens on.

Nearby student accommodation was also evacuated.

Witnesses tweeted pictures of bomb disposal teams at the scene after reports circulated of the man having something strapped to his body.

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(Image: PA) (Image: PA)

Northumbria Police confirmed a hostage situation is underway but said there is no information or intelligence to suggest the incident is terror-related.

They said: "Police are aware that there are a number of concerns about the ongoing situation in Byker following recent terror incidents in Manchester and London.

"At this time there is no information or intelligence to suggest this is a terrorist incident."

In an earlier statement they said: "Police were called to Job Centre Plus, Clifford Street in Byker at around 8am (Friday, June 9) following reports of a man causing a disturbance.

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle) (Image: Newcastle Chronicle) (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

"Officers have attended and found the man armed with a knife had entered the premises and it is believed that several members of staff are being held there. Several other staff members have left.

"Police negotiators are at the scene and the roads around the premises have been closed as a precaution.”

Other witnesses are believed to have seen armed response at the scene.

Those living and working in the area have been prevented from accessing homes and officers.

One woman, Linda Gerute, has been outside the police cordon for an hour after arriving to go to work.

Janette Mitchell said: "Was on my way to doctors and someone has taken the job centre in Byker Newcastle hostage with a knife. There are lots of police there."

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle) (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

Witness Cynthia Scott said she saw women running from the centre.

Reporter Simon Meechan said: "Cynthia Scott works in an opticians in Shields Road.

"She said she saw three women run out of job centre and police appeared within seconds."

The Tyne & Wear Metro has also been suspended between Byker and St James' Park as a result of the incident. Bus delays are also reported.

We will have updates from the scene in Byker as more information becomes available.