A man has been arrested after reports of a "suspicious item" sparked evacuations and a major emergency service response at Newcastle University.
Northumbria Police were called to a university building on King's Walk in Newcastle city centre at around 2.10pm on Friday (October 2).
A number of university buildings were evacuated as a precaution, and a large police cordon was established across the surrounding area.
Man arrested after 'suspicious item' sparks Newcastle University evacuation (Image: North News & Pictures Ltd)
Queen Victoria Road, Brewery Lane, King's Road and St Thomas' Street were among the locations affected as officers carried out searches.
Police have since confirmed that the searches have been stood down and a 33-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of communicating false information. He remained in police custody on Friday evening.
Man arrested after 'suspicious item' sparks Newcastle University evacuation (Image: North News & Pictures Ltd)
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "At 2.10pm today (Friday) we received a report of a suspicious item at a Newcastle University building on Kings Walk in Newcastle city centre.
"Searches were subsequently carried out and have since been stood down.
"A 33-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of communicating false information. He remains in police custody at this time."
Man arrested after 'suspicious item' sparks Newcastle University evacuation (Image: North News & Pictures Ltd)
The incident prompted a significant emergency response, with police, firefighters and ambulance crews attending the area.
The North East Ambulance Service said it received a call at 4.19pm and dispatched a duty officer, a commander and three Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) crews.
However, ambulance crews were stood down by police shortly afterwards.
Man arrested after 'suspicious item' sparks Newcastle University evacuation (Image: North News & Pictures Ltd)
The cordon also disrupted the nearby Royal Victoria Infirmary, although the hospital itself was not evacuated.
Patients were directed towards alternative car parks and entrances while the incident was ongoing.
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Newcastle University confirmed that a "small number" of its city centre buildings had been evacuated.
A university spokesperson said: "Earlier today, a small number of our city centre campus buildings were evacuated and a cordon was put in place as a precaution while Northumbria Police officers carried out enquiries."
The large cordon covering several streets was later removed, although a smaller police cordon remained on King's Road outside the university's King George VI Building on Friday evening.