Gunman seized after shots fired

Police seized the man near the Redheugh Bridge

Police have overpowered a man in Newcastle after he fired five shots at them.

The man was taken into custody after he was spotted acting suspiciously near the Quayside.

He is being questioned about two incidents in which a firearm was discharged.

Northumbria Police stressed that officers had not opened fire.

The incident follows shootings involving the police where two men were shot dead by officers on the streets of Liverpool and London.

Officers did not return any shots and the man in question was overpowered

Northumbria Police spokesman

The man was first spotted in a car park near the city's Redheugh Bridge where he fired a gun at police before running off.

He was then seen in the nearby Scotswood Road area where he again shot at police before being overpowered.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "Five shots were discharged.

Roads closed

"Officers did not return any shots and the man in question was overpowered.

"The man is now in custody helping with inquiries."

Police are not giving details of the firearm involved in the two incidents or any details of the suspect.

The junction of Scotswood Road and the Redheugh Bridge was sealed off as police inquiries continue.

Fatal shootings

Meanwhile in London, a Police Complaints Authority investigation is being carried out after a man carrying a cigarette lighter shaped like a gun was shot dead by officers.

The man was shot six times by an armed officer in Brixton on Monday.

It followed the death last week of Andrew Kernan, a 37-year-old schizophrenic from Liverpool, who was shot twice in the chest by police while armed with a sword.

He was the 12th person to be shot dead by police in England and Wales since 1995.