Armed police shoot man claiming to be carrying explosive device

A man claiming to be carrying an explosive device in a rucksack has been shot with rubber bullets by armed police in York.

The 43-year-old man was arrested and taken to hospital with minor injuries after he was shot with the baton round.

Officers were called to Ouse Bridge in the city centre at about 9pm on Sunday where the man claimed to be carrying the explosives.

North Yorkshire Police said an examination of the bag revealed it did not contain any explosive device.

Police negotiators were called to the scene along with fire and ambulance services.

Residents and those within a 300m radius of the bridge were evacuated while the incident was ongoing.

The city centre from Micklegate to Parliament Street was closed off to traffic and pedestrians.

The Army bomb disposal unit carried out a controlled explosion on the rucksack.

A North Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: “The incident was brought to a safe conclusion at about 11.55pm when firearm officers discharged a baton round. The man was arrested and taken to York District Hospital where he is receiving treatment for minor injuries sustained in the incident.”

The baton round is a type of rubber bullet used for non-lethal apprehension of criminals