A part of Newcastle University had to be evacuated yesterday following reports of “suspicious items”. The university’s INTO language skills centre was closed and students and staff asked to leave amid concerns the items could be dangerous.
BBC News reports that a bomb disposal team was called and performed a controlled explosion before reopening surrounding roads at 1am this morning.
Police say an 18-year-old man has been arrested and is helping them with their inquiries.
No one has been reported injured and police said there was no danger to the public.
A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “Potentially suspicious items have been found and the building was evacuated as a precaution so the items can be recovered and examined.
“Inquiries are in the early stages and we are working closely with Newcastle University.
“There is currently no cause for concern for students and the wider community.”
The university in North East England has more than 22,000 students from the UK and abroad, and some 1,200 academic staff. The INTO centre caters mainly to international students.
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