The attack happened just after midnight today when a man approached the front doors of Hartlepool Police Station, in Avenue Road, and threw a glass jar containing flammable liquid into the front desk area of the building.
Two people in the area at the time were shaken but were unharmed. They were consoled by staff on duty. The container did not ignite and only a small amount of liquid spilled on to the floor.
A 46-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson and is in police custody helping with inquiries.
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