Bomb scare closes city centre

City centre closed down

Residents were evacuated and clubbers diverted across the city centre, with reports indicating a possible bomb scare.

The area surrounding the Ouse Bridge, which connects Yates to The Parish, was closed at around 9pm and has remained closed until the time of publication at midnight.

Drinkers in nearby bars, including Yates, Slug and Lettuce and The Kings Arms, were evacuated by police, as were residents of the housing blocks which face onto the river.

A lone male can be seen on the bridge

Pedestrians on all routes towards the river were being turned back by police, as far down as the fire station.

The Yorker reporters spoke to a number of eyewitnesses in the city who had been evacuated during the incident.

One had reportedly been told by police that Armed Response Officers had been called in.

The police confirmed that "an incident is taking place in York city centre" but said "no further details could be given".

Officers were turning back pedestrians and traffic from the surrounding roads, and one said: "There's a gentlemen we're trying to sort out on the bridge."

Employees of the Park Inn Hotel, located on North Street, had been warned that they also may need to be evacuated.

All three emergency services were present at the scene, although none were able to give further details.

Initial reports had suggested that the man was planning to jump in, although a Police Officer said these were "unsubstantiated reports".

The Yorker will post an updated story once further details are available.

Drama... in York?! Whatever next?

Jumping in surely wouldn't necessitate evacuation. Good job getting the photos and the news up here so quickly guys.

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Pretty god damn impressive journalism.

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"Residents were evacuated"

They were so scared they shat themselves?

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