A building has been evacuated following a bomb threat in a North East town and a heavy police presence in the area.
The A183 was closed this morning due to a police incident in the area which was first reported at 8.45am.
Police and the ambulance service were both seen in the area on video captured at the scene near the Holiday Inn following a bomb threat at Sunderland City Hall.
Pictures from the scene also showed a police cordon had been erected as they confirmed that a nearby building had been evacuated.
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A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said they were alerted to a report of “malicious communications” on Plater Way in Sunderland.
They added: “Emergency services are at the scene and we are investigating the matter further.
“As a precaution, the building has been evacuated and some temporary road closures have also been put in place in the surrounding area with diversions provided.
“We would subsequently ask the public to avoid the area and we thank you for your cooperation.”
A spokesperson for North East Ambulance Service later confirmed that the building was evacuated due to a "bomb threat" at Sunderland City Hall.
They added: "We received calls this morning to an incident on Plater Way in Sunderland.
"We currently have seven ambulance resources at the scene supporting police colleagues.”
A spokesperson for Sunderland City Council said: “City Hall has been evacuated and surrounding roads closed as a precaution following a credible threat received earlier this morning.
“Council officers are working with the police and the City Council is continuing to operate services at near normal levels as possible, with business continuity measures put in place where necessary.”
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