Drama on Milton Road: Man Talks Police Into Leaving Roof of Cowplain Building Site
Police negotiators spent hours last night convincing a distressed man to come down from the roof at a half-built block of flats on Milton Road in Cowplain.
Traffic Chaos as Roof Standoff Unfolds
The man climbed scaffolding surrounding the new build near Eagle Avenue, sparking a major emergency response. Officers shut down Milton Road and nearby Eagle Avenue, sealing off roads to vehicles and pedestrians. Traffic was diverted away from the local shopping precinct as police threw up cordons at both ends of the road.
Passers-by gathered at the scene, watching nervously as the man shouted down at police and fire crews on standby.
Negotiators Work Through the Night
Called around 10pm, police found the man agitated and refusing to come down. Specialists were brought in and spent over three hours talking him down. An aerial ladder and a second fire appliance stood ready in case rescue was needed.
“He was in a distressed state and moving around the building,” said a Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police spokesperson. “Our negotiators engaged with him until he safely returned to the ground.”
Man Brought to Safety and Taken Into Custody
Shortly before 12:30am on Sunday, the man finally climbed down and was taken into police custody. Thankfully, no injuries were reported and the situation was resolved peacefully.
