Five dead in mass shooting near German youth centre: Police order people to stay away

Five people have died following a mass shooting in Germany, police have said.

According to initial reports, shots were fired near a youth centre in the Dankersstrasse area of ​​Stade in Lower Saxony.

Police and rescue personnel were dispatched to the scene following the incident. 

German police have arrested a male suspect. They added that the motive for the shooting remains unclear. 

Police have asked people in the local area to avoid the scene of the attack ‘for [their] own safety.’ 

Local media reported that two police helicopters are circling over the city centre. 

The identities and ages of the victims and perpetrator have not yet been revealed by police.  

Stade has a population of around 50,000 people, and is located west of Hamburg. 

Five people have died in a mass shooting in Dankersstrasse area of ​​Stade in Lower Saxony

This is a breaking news story. More to follow