What's Happening At Newcastle Job Centre? Hostage Situation Reported As Knifeman Holds Employees

UPDATE: 8:09 a.m. –

Police said Friday the knifeman holding employees of Newscastle’s Job Centre hostage has been arrested and all the people have been released from his capture.

A bomb disposal unit was sent to the scene as a precaution measure after reports surfaced suggesting the man could have been in possession of an explosive device.

“We want to reiterate there is no info or intelligence to suggest this was a terror incident. The man arrested is the only person involved,” Northumbria police said on Twitter.

Northumbria Police Assistant Chief Constable Darren Best released a statement to thank officers who responded to the situation.

“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,” Best said.

“It must have been particularly traumatizing 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. Out 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.”

Best clarified that the incident was never being treated as a terrorist activity and that “there is still no specific threat of terrorism in our force area.”

An investigation is underway into the incident, and all road closures had been lifted and train services had resumed.

Original Story:

A knifeman has been holding employees of a Job Centre in Byker, Newcastle, Northern England hostage Friday. Police have arrived at the scene and are negotiating with the knifeman, reports said.

Police officers have secured the area and advised residents to stay away from the place. Northumbria Police released a statement saying the Byker Metro station has been closed as they are dealing with the ongoing hostage situation on Clifford Street.

"We were called to Clifford Street, Byker, at 8 a.m. this morning following reports of a man causing a disturbance at the Job Centre Plus. As they rushed to the spot, police officers learned about a knifeman inside the premises. It is believed that several members of staff are being held hostage. Several other staff members have left," police said. "Specialist negotiators are at the scene and the roads around the premises have been closed as a precautionary measure."

"It is believed the man responsible is known to the Job Centre and this is being treated as an isolated incident at this stage," police said.

This is a developing story.