St James's Hospital Leeds police incident: Man re-arrested over suspected terror offence following bomb scare
and live on Freeview channel 276
Army bomb disposal experts and emergency services were at the scene yesterday after a suspicious package was found outside the Gledhow wing. A man was initially arrested on suspicion of firearms and explosives offences, but police later said he was re-arrested under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
Follow our live blog below and refresh the page for the latest updates.
St James’ Hospital Leeds: ‘Suspicious package’ reports as police set up cordon
Key Events
Hospital issues advice for maternity patients in Leeds
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS trust has issued advice for maternity patients - who are advised not to attend St James’s Hospital unless they have been contacted and asked to do so.
In a statement, the Trust said: “Our current maternity inpatients at St James’s Hospital are safe and receiving the appropriate maternity care from our teams.
“If you require maternity care for concerns relating to yourself or your baby, all services are open and accepting patients at our LGI site. Please do not attend the St James’s site unless you have been contacted and asked to do so.
“If you have an urgent concern please call Maternity Assessment Centre on 0113 39 26731 prior to attending.
“Maternity patients with an appointment planned today at St James’s will have been contacted by our teams and rescheduled.
“We have also set up a temporary contact number for non-urgent maternity concerns regarding future appointments or future attendances, this number is: 0113 20 6521.”
Watch our live report from St James’s Hospital
YEP reporter Alex Grant brings us the latest updates from St James’s Hospital. Watch here.
Watch a video message from St James’s Hospital medical director
The medical director of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has addressed patients in a video after a suspicious package was found at St James’s Hospital.
Army bomb disposal experts and emergency services are at the hospital after a suspicious package was found outside the Gledhow Wing this morning (Friday). Counter terrorism police have confirmed that a man has been arrested.
A video message has now been issued by the trust’s Medical Director, Steve Bush.
Map shows which areas of the hospital are open to patients and visitors
A map setting out how to access wards at St James’ University Hospital in Leeds has been published as a police incident involving a ‘suspicious package’ continues.
Patients are being asked to turn up for appointments as normal unless they are contacted by staff at Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, but access for some visitors is being restricted.
'You don’t expect this type of thing to be happening on your doorstep’
Our reporter Alex Grant is down at St James’s Hospital. He has spoken to a patient, Tracy Morris, who is attending the hospital for an appointment.
She said: “You don’t expect this type of thing to be happening on your own door step. It’s a big thing and it’s scary, especially when you are inside.
“I didn’t want to go to my appointment - I said to my friend are we going to be safe but the emergency services are doing a great job and they would have evacuated entirely if we weren’t safe.”
Helpline set up for patients and families
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has now set up a helpline to answer queries and concerns from patients and their families at St James’s Hospital.
Those with concerns are asked to call 0113 2066261, rather than contacting the hospital directly.
Firefighters moving into position
Our reporter Alex Grant says firefighters at the scene appear to be readying themselves. It comes after the cordon outside the hospital was widened and a member of the Army’s bomb disposal unit was seen in a blast suit.
Counter terrorism police confirm arrest made
Counter Terrorism Policing North East has confirmed that an arrest has been made as the investigation continues into the ‘suspicious package’ found outside the hospital’s Gledhow Wing earlier today.
Police widen cordon at hospital
Our reporter Alex Grant tells us that the cordon is being widened and members of the media have been pushed back to the main road now. It comes after a member of the Army’s bomb disposal unit was seen in a blast suit.
Reports emerging of arrest and critical incident
Various reports are emerging as the incident continue at the hospital. Our reporter Alex Grant says he’s hearing that police may have made an arrest and we’re seeking confirmation from police.
The YEP also understands that the hospital has declared a criticial incident and evacuated patients from the Gledhow Wing. When asked to comment, they referred us to their earlier statement with general advice for patients and visitors.