Man detained over Southmead Hospital A&E bomb hoax

A major incident was declared at Southmead Hospital - pictured at the end of the road

A man who triggered a security alert at Bristol's Southmead Hospital has been detained under the Mental Health Act.

Armed officers arrested the man after he claimed to be in possession of explosives in the hospital's A&E department at about midday on Thursday.

Avon and Somerset Police said the man was arrested on suspicion of making a bomb hoax and the area was made safe.

The arrested man, who is in his 50s, is now being assessed in the care of the mental health service.

The hospital's A&E department was evacuated shortly after midday.

Visitors were allowed to return at about 14:30 GMT but outpatient appointments were cancelled for the rest of the day.

A cordon was put in place at the hospital while a number of bags were examined, before the area was declared safe.

Avon and Somerset Police said it did not believe the case was related to terrorism and thanked people for their patience and support while the incident was dealt with.

Southmead Hospital's A&E department was shut down while police investigated

North Bristol Neighbourhood Inspector Lorna Dallimore said: "I appreciate the concern this incident may have caused residents and patients.

"I'd like to reassure them there were no injuries and there is no risk to the wider public."

A major incident was declared by North Bristol NHS Trust, which meant ambulances were diverted to other A&E departments and all non-essential staff were told to leave the site.

Southmead is one of Bristol's main hospitals and is in the north of the city.

A £430m rebuild was finished in 2014. The building has capacity for 800 beds and has 24 operating theatres.

Parts of the site date back to the 1900s.