In a dramatic turn of events on Monday evening, Metropolitan Police’s specialist TSG (Territorial Support Group) officers were summoned to the Old Baptist Church on Bourne Road, Bexley, to deal with a man who had climbed onto the church roof. The incident prompted a significant response from law enforcement and fire crews.
The situation unfolded just after 9 pm, when reports came in about a man causing a disturbance on the church’s roof. Concerned about public safety and the individual’s well-being, authorities swiftly mobilized to address the situation.
A total of 55 police officers and 15 police cars were deployed to the scene, indicating the gravity of the situation. The presence of TSG officers, specially trained in riot control and managing high-risk incidents, underlined the seriousness of the incident.
Fire crews were also dispatched to assist the police in resolving the crisis. They played a crucial role by providing an angle grinder to help gain access to the roof. This tool was instrumental in facilitating the safe removal of the individual from the perilous situation.
The operation continued for a number of hours as officers carefully coordinated their efforts to ensure the safety of both the man on the roof and the surrounding community. Crisis negotiators were involved in the operation, attempting to communicate with the individual and persuade him to come down safely.
After several tense hours, the situation was successfully resolved at approximately 10:35 pm. The man was safely removed from the church roof and subsequently arrested. His motives for scaling the church and causing the disturbance remain unclear at this time.
Following the incident, the area was declared safe, bringing relief to residents and passersby who had been impacted by the unfolding events. The quick and coordinated response by Police and fire crews ensured that the incident was brought to a peaceful conclusion without any reported injuries or further harm to the individual involved.
The Metropolitan Police has not disclosed the identity of the arrested man, and investigations into the incident are ongoing.
