A knife-wielding man is believed to be holding several staff members at Job Centre Plus in Newcastle, Northumbria Police said.
Witnesses reported seeing the man with something strapped to his chest, Mirror reported.
The report also quoted Northumbria Police as saying:
Police are currently dealing with an ongoing situation in Newcastle. 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.
Details are awaited.
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