A 27-year-old man has been arrested in connection with reports of a potentially suspicious package found at a Leeds hospital.

The bomb squad descended upon the Gledhow Wing at St James' University Hospital, early on Friday morning.

A large police cordon remains in place while patients have been evacuated from some ward areas.

As the latest developments unfold, West Yorkshire Police (WYP) has shared a statement on behalf of Counter Terrorism Policing North East.

Due to the nature of the incident, the terrorism taskforce has deployed a number of resources who have “access to specialist capabilities”.

Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

A spokesperson for Counter Terrorism Policing North East 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 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.”

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