Man arrested and two courts evacuated after reports of explosive devices in buildings

A 37-year-old man has been arrested after police were called to reports that bombs were left in two court buildings in south Wales. People were evacuated from Newport Magistrates' Court on Usk Way in Newport and Cwmbran Magistrates' Court on Tudor Road in Cwmbran and there was a major police presence at the premises.

A police officer walked into the a courtroom in Newport Magistrates' Court to tell people inside of the threat. Everyone there was evacuated to a nearby Asda car park, according to our reporter at the scene.

A police cordon was set up around both court buildings keeping people around 100 metres away. Gwent Police said specially-trained officers and police dogs searched the buildings but no devices were located. At around 3pm the cordons were lifted and people were allowed back inside the buildings.

A spokesperson for Gwent Police said: "A 37-year-old man from the Cwmbran area was arrested on suspicion of making a bomb threat and remains in police custody at this time. No devices were located and the buildings were evacuated as a safety precaution."

Several roads in the Newport area were closed while the incident unfolded, including a major bridge leading to the road the court is on - George Street Bridge - with traffic backed up along Cardiff Road and Commercial Road.

See how the incident unfolded in real time below: