Concerns were sparked after ballot papers were thought to have been contaminated at a North East university.
Emergency crews were called to the scene at Northumbria University Sports Central on Tuesday (May 3) following reports of concern after what was thought to be a suspicious substance was found in a number of ballot papers. As a precaution, the contaminated papers were recovered and tested.
Numerous ambulance crews attended the incident and thankfully nobody was left needing treatment. Following the tests there were were no suspicious substances found and there was no further action was taken by Northumbria Police.
Read more: Woman suffers bleed on brain after attack outside Blyth nightclub
A spokesperson for the Force said: " Northumbria Police received a report of concern after what was thought to be a suspicious substance was found in a number of ballot papers at Northumbria University Sports Central on Tuesday, May 3.
"At around 12.50pm officers and the fire service attended the scene and as a precaution, the contaminated papers were recovered and tested.
"There were no suspicious substances found and there was no further police action."
A Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) spokesperson said: “We can confirm we attended an incident at Sports Central in Newcastle on Tuesday afternoon.
"A number of our specialist assets supported Northumbria Police in identifying a suspicious substance. It was deemed not to be harmful and we left the scene a short time later.”
A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson added: "We were called at 15:04 this afternoon to reports of an incident at Sport Central on Northumberland Road in Newcastle. We sent seven ambulance resources in total including three Hazardous Area Response Teams.
"All were stood down on scene and no one was found to be in need of treatment."
