Man arrested after police spend NINE hours in tense roof standoff

A man has been arrested after police spent around nine hours in a tense roof standoff in Harpurhey.

The incident, which was first reported at around 11am on Tuesday (June 7) saw swarms of police cordon off an estate as they attempted to talk him back down. The man, understood by the Manchester Evening News to be wanted by police, managed to get onto the roof of a block of flats as officers tried to arrest him.

Oakridge Walk was taped off and the road was closed while emergency services dealt with the situation. Police have now confirmed this morning that the man was 'safely detained' at around 8.30pm.

READ MORE:"In a bit, mate": Idiot driver, 25, calls judge an 'absolute helmet' for jailing him - and now could be in even more trouble

He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery, assault of an emergency worker and criminal damage. He remains in custody.

Yesterday, all of the entrances to the estate off Fernclough Road were taped off with an officer guarding each one during the incident. The man sat shirtless on the roof of a row of apartments throughout the standoff.

Tactical Aid Unit (TAU) officers and several ambulance service vehicles were pictured at the scene. During the standoff, local councillor Pat Karney tweeted: "Thanks to our Emergency Services for talking to this distressed individual. We ask local residents to stay clear of the area while we get this man down safely."

He went on: "We appreciate the long hours that the Emergency Services have put in from this morning. These are very difficult and delicate situations for police officers. Everyone in Harpurhey hopes he comes down without injuries."

Greater Manchester Police thanked the local community for their co-operation in a statement issued this morning.