Armed police have been called to a hospital in Glasgow after a man entered the building carrying a crossbow.
Police were alerted to the incident in the atrium of Queen Elizabeth university hospital at about 6.30am on Friday.
Specialist firearms officers were among those dispatched to the scene, but police confirmed the weapon had not been fired and there were no injuries.
A 29-year-old man had been arrested.
The atrium of the hospital was closed for a “short time” and traffic was temporarily diverted around the hospital, but a spokesperson for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) said there was no disruption to services. The hospital is now open as normal.
Police said inquiries were continuing. Insp Alyssa Fullelove-McCann said: “I’m aware this incident will be concerning but I’d like to provide reassurance that it is being treated as isolated and there is no ongoing risk to the public.
“Officers will remain in the area while inquiries are carried out and anyone with concerns or information can speak to them, or call 101.”
A spokesperson for NHSGGC said: “We can confirm we supported police with an incident in the atrium of the QEUH this morning. The atrium was closed for a short time while this was dealt with, and traffic around the hospital was temporarily diverted.
“There was no disruption to any of our services and the hospital is now open as normal. We would like to thank our security teams for their handling of this incident before officers arrived.”
Under the Crossbows Act 1987, it is legal to buy a crossbow in England, Scotland and Wales, and owners are not required to register the weapon or hold a licence. Similar legislation covers Northern Ireland. However, it is illegal for under-18s to own or buy one, for under-21s to shoot one (unless under the supervision of someone older), for owners to rent or lend one to anyone else, or to shoot one in a public space, or in any private place without permission.
Proposals designed to tighten the law around crossbow sales were put forward by the government last month.
The Home Office minister, Diana Johnson, said amendments tabled to the crime and policing bill aim to strengthen age verification controls on both the online sale and delivery of the weapon.
