Liverpool locked down over bomb scare

London: The city of Liverpool in the northwest of England was on Friday put under lockdown as police negotiate with a man claiming to be in possession of a bomb sparked a possible terror threat at a high-rise building.

Merseyside Police surrounded an office building in the city centre and closed a number of streets during the standoff.

"Merseyside Police is dealing with a security alert at a business premises in Silkhouse Court, Tithebarn Street, Liverpool. Officers were called to the scene following reports of a man acting suspiciously and claiming to be in possession of a suspect package," a police statement said.

"The fire alarm was activated by staff, who evacuated themselves. All employees have since been fully accounted for. The man is still inside the building and negotiators are seeking direct contact with him, in order to safely resolve the situation," it said.

Staff in the building, reportedly a solicitors' office, earlier tweeted about a "bomb scare on the fifth floor" and then evacuated the building.

Police negotiators are trying to speak to the man, while a bomb disposal team remains on standby at the scene.