Officers with guns dashed into the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, at around 7.45am. Witnesses saw them take out a topless man in handcuffs and bungle him into a police van.

       Three armed units, six armed police officers, and other policemen and women were in attendance, according to Teesside Live.

       Pictures show officers guarding a building at the large hospital.

       One witness said: "They all ran into the hospital and brought out a man with no top on. Not sure why."

       Another said: "I don’t know what’s happening, I’m just arriving for work and don’t even know if I can go in.

       "I just seen a load of police with guns running about."

       A spokesman for Cleveland Police said: "A man aged in his forties was arrested a short time later on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and affray.

       "He was taken into police custody and no one was harmed in the incident."

       A spokesperson for North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust said: "Following an incident at the University Hospital of North Tees this morning, police were called and attended the scene.

       "We can confirm a man was detained – as this is an ongoing case, we cannot comment further at this time."