Armed Police are currently searching Leeds’ student district, following reports of a man allegedly armed with an axe.

Members of the public have been warned not to approach the wanted man, whilst student accommodation on the Leeds Beckett campus remains on lock down.

The man is thought to have been driving a car which was involved in a collision between Scott Hall Road and Sheepscar Street North at 5:30pm today.

The man is described as being white, in either his thirties or forties, and having a black beard. He is believed to be wearing a flat cap, as well as a light coloured jacket and Leeds.

The man is thought to have been driving a car which was involved in a collision between Scott Hall Road and Sheepscar Street North at 5:30pm today.

Superintendent Lisa Atkinson, of Leeds District Police, said: ‘There is a significant policing presence in Leeds tonight searching for this male and we are very keen to bring this incident to a conclusion as soon as we can and as safely as possible.

‘No one has been seriously hurt and it appears the male has only used the axe as a means of stealing the van and the bicycle, but we would urge anyone who sees this male not to approach him and to contact police on 999, so we can locate him and detain him.’