KNIFE INCIDENT AT BELFAST OFFICES PSNI ARREST MAN IN CITY CENTRE DRAMA
SHOPPERS and office workers in Belfast city centre were left startled yesterday morning after the sudden arrival of a number of police cars following reports of a man with a knife in the area.
Passers-by — many on their way to the nearby Christmas Market at the city hall — looked on as a number of police vehicles arrived on Upper Queen Street following a report from a member of the public concerning Royston House.
It is understood the man entered the building before sitting down.
Police arrived at the scene and arrested a 42-year-old man at around 9.40am. The man was questioned by officers following the incident.
An office worker in the area told the Belfast Telegraph that numerous rumours had been circulating about the incident — including claims that someone had been taken hostage.
However, that was last night not believed to have been the case. A PSNI spokeswoman later confirmed that a man had been arrested following what they described as “a knife incident at a Belfast office block”.
The spokeswoman said: “Officers attended and arrested a 42-year-old man on suspicion of possessing an article with a blade or point in a public place. He is currently in custody assisting with police enquiries.”
Royston House is the home of the Medical Support Services who carry out work capability assessments.
It includes the Welfare Support Service among a number of other health and finance facilities.