Officers arrested the 14-year-old at Jesmond and said he was due to face court on Tuesday.

"The offender was arrested in Jesmond after running from police," Newcastle City Police District said in a statement.

"He was also charged with having stolen property, assault and malicious damage for offences that occurred on Monday."

The arrest follows a police appeal over two robbery incidents at the university they did not believe to be linked.

A 22-year-old man was approached on a pedestrian footbridge over the Newcastle Inner City Bypass about 5.40pm on Sunday, police said, when he was allegedly knocked to the ground and assaulted.

His iPhone and bag were allegedly stolen by his attacker.

Separately, a 25-year-old man was headed to Warabrook train station when he was approached by a group of six people.

Police were told the four men and two women threatened him with a knife, demanding cash and cigarettes before they fled in a westerly direction.

Anyone with information about the incidents has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online