BUILDINGS were evacuated after an "industrial incident" involving a crane in a city centre today.

West Yorkshire Police rushed to Riverside Way, in Leeds this afternoon and Whitehall Road was closed both ways from around 3pm for a number of hours but the situation was resolved at around 7.15pm.

Officers were at the scene and several buildings had to be evacuated as a "precaution", according to a spokesperson for the force.

They added that no one was on the crane but did not give further details about the nature of the incident.

Police were also restricting access to the area for pedestrians and road closures were expected to be in place for "some time".

Whitehall Road was shut between its junctions with Globe Road and Northern Street, which caused traffic to build on Wellington Street, Aire Street, and Whitehall Road, on the approach to the closure from the direction of Aire Street.

But the incident has now "been made safe" and the police cordon that was in place has been removed.

Some road closures remained in place for a short amount of time while those who were evacuated returned to their homes.

A full statement from West Yorkshire Police said: "Following a multi-agency response to the industrial incident involving a crane on Riverside Way, Leeds, the crane has now been made safe without incident and the cordon has been removed.   

"Localised road closures remained in place for a short period while displaced residents returned to their homes but have now been fully lifted.   

"We thank the public for their patience while this incident was brought to a safe conclusion."

An earlier statement from the force said: "Police are at the scene following a report of an industrial incident involving a crane on Riverside Way, Leeds.

"It has been confirmed that there is no one on the crane. 

"Access to the area has been restricted for pedestrians and road closures put in place.

"A number of buildings in the area are also being evacuated as a precaution. 

"These closures are expected to be in place for some time and members of the public are advised to avoid the area and seek other routes. 

"This is an ongoing incident and further updates will be provided in due course."