A policeman in Jordan has killed five people – including two Americans, two South Africans and a Jordanian – at a police training centre.

The BBC reports that that the Jordanian embassy in Washington has confirmed the attacker also wounded a further two Americans and two Jordanians before being shot and killed.

The attack occurred at the Jordanian International Police Training Centre – a US funded centre that hosts mostly Palestinian and Iraqi officers.

Contractors from elsewhere, including the US, work with Jordanian police trainers at the centre.

Jordan has long beena strong ally of Western antions in the Middle East, and the BBC reports that this will initially be seen as an attack in support of Islamic militant groups in the region.

The US embassy in Amman released a statement saying: “Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families of all of the victims.

The investigation is ongoing and it is premature to speculate on motive at this point.

"We are working closely with the government of Jordan and local security services on a full and comprehensive investigation."

"We strongly condemn this incident and we deeply appreciate the co-operation and support received from our Jordanian partners."