A 27-year-old man has been arrested by counter-terrorism officers after a bomb squad cordoned off part of St James's Hospital in Leeds.
Police swarmed the scene early this morning with the army in attendance after the package was found near the Gledhow Wing of the hospital. A cordon was put in place and parts of the hospital were evacuated to keep patients safe.
West Yorkshire Police has now confirmed that a 27-year-old man has been arrested as the cordon remains in place. Due to the nature of the incident, CTP North East has deployed resources with access to specialist capabilities to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Read More: Wards evacuated at St James's Hospital but patients told still to attend as normal amid 'bomb scare'
The emergency Department at St James’s remains open, and patients are asked to attend outpatient appointments as normal unless contacted otherwise. In an updated statement, West Yorkshire Police said: "Emergency Services were called to a potentially suspicious package outside the Gledhow Wing of St James’ Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds earlier this morning.
"A cordon has been put in place as a precautionary measure for public safety and army specialists are in attendance to make an assessment in line with normal procedures. People are asked to avoid the entrance to the Gledhow Wing at this time while the cordon remains in place.
"As a safety precaution, some people have been evacuated from the immediate vicinity. A 27 year old man from Leeds has been arrested in connection with the matter.
"Due to the nature of the incident, CTP North East has deployed resources with access to specialist capabilities to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident. Emergency Department at St James’s remains open, and patients are asked to attend outpatient appointments as normal unless contacted otherwise."
Read next:
