Jarrow siege - One arrested, Four hostages freed safely.
A man suspected of taking hostages at a bookmakers armed with a loaded sawn-off shotgun has been taken into custody.
Northumbria Police said they were called to the Coral bookmakers in Grange Road, Jarrow, on Sunday evening following a report of a man in possession of a firearm.
The force said the incident was brought to a close by officers using a "less lethal weapon'', which locals said was a Taser.
Four hostages are thought to have been taken by the man inside the shop. Local people said they watched as three were released but police continued to negotiate for the release of the fourth until the stand-off ended.
Social media users said the noise of shots was heard just before the end of the stand-off.
A force spokesman said:
"At 8.44pm police negotiated the safe release of the fourth person from inside the premises then, at 8.53pm, the man in possession of the weapon was arrested by officers. A firearm has been seized by officers and the 39-year-old man will be taken into police custody. A police issue 'less lethal weapon' was discharged during the incident in order to bring this matter to safe conclusion - this was the 'shots' that people may have heard. Nobody has been injured during the incident. Enquiries are ongoing and we will try and get the area back to normal as possible. We would like to thank the public for their co-operation.''
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Dame Vera Baird said on Twitter: "All hostages free as Jarrow siege ends. Told: he had loaded sawn-off, but arrested without police use of firearms. Well done & glad all safe.''
One local resident, who did not want to be named, said he and scores of neighbours watched as police surrounded the shop and hostages were released.
"He's come to the door every now and then, talking to the police, it's difficult to see him because he's put newspaper over the windows. I heard he had a sawn off and some knives.''
A large number of police vehicles were outside the shop in Grange Road and social media postings showed large crowds gathering, including children, to watch the stand-off.
We've more pictures and videos across on our Twitter.