Portsmouth Rooftop Rampage Ends with Man’s Arrest After Five-Hour Police Stand-Off
A man sparked chaos in Portsmouth when he climbed onto rooftops in Stamshaw and threw tiles at police, firefighters, and nearby cars. After a tense five-hour stand-off, officers finally brought the bizarre ordeal to an end with an arrest just after 5am on Sunday.
Roof Rampage Brings Out Full Emergency Response
Police were scrambled to Widley Road around 1am following reports of a man wreaking havoc on the rooftops. The scene quickly escalated, with five police vehicles — including armed response units — plus two fire engines and ambulances blocking off the area. Surrounding roads were shut to keep the public clear.
Man Taunts Police, Throws Tiles, and Nearly Injures Officers
Witnesses described the man running along roofs, ripping off massive slates and hurling them at officers decked out in riot gear and shielded against the flying missiles. “He was shouting abuse and throwing tiles at police, two officers and a firefighter narrowly escaped injury,” said a Hampshire Police spokesperson.
Negotiators Use Cigarette Trick to End Danger
Police even tried to coax him down with a crafty offer — a cigarette light only if he came down. The tension peaked as negotiators worked patiently to bring him down safely. Finally, just after 5am, the man gave up, climbed down, and was promptly arrested.
Damage Mounts, Residents Shake Their Heads
The aftermath showed broken roof tiles littered across the street, many smashed onto parked cars. One anonymous resident said, “You can see the mess from my window. He was running up and down, tearing tiles off and throwing them like weapons.” Thousands of pounds’ worth of damage has been reported to roofs and vehicles.
The suspect was taken to Queen Alexandra Hospital for treatment following the arrest. Police have yet to confirm the exact reasons behind the rooftop incident or the charges being brought.
