Police hunt man who claimed he had bomb at Tyne Tunnel

Police were called to the Tyne Tunnel after a man told staff he had an explosive before he retracted the claim and fled the area.

Officers were called at round 9.45pm on Tuesday, after receiving a report of a man acting suspiciously on the Tyne Tunnel footpath in

Jarrow.

When the man was approached by Tyne Tunnel staff, he initially claimed to have an explosive before retracting the claim and fleeing the area.

The Tyne Tunnel was closed whilst specialist officers conducted a search of the area.

No device was found and the claim was found to be false.

The Tyne Tunnel was reopened shortly after the incident.

A police investigation has been launched to find the man and anyone with information is asked to contact Northumbria Police.

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: “Shortly before 9.45pm yesterday (Tuesday), police received a report of a man acting suspiciously on the Tyne Tunnel footpath.

"When he was approached by Tyne Tunnel staff he initially claimed to have an explosive before retracting the claim and fleeing the tunnel.

"As a safety precaution, the Tyne Tunnel was temporarily closed whilst specialist officers conducted a thorough search of the area.

“No device was found and further inquiries supported the claim to be false.

“The Tyne Tunnel was reopened shortly after.

“Inquiries are currently ongoing to locate the man and anyone with any information is asked to contact police quoting reference number 1303 11/08/20.”