Wanted man's 48-hour rooftop stand-off ends when UK police arrest him as he sleeps

A 48-hour stand-off between a wanted man in Salford, England was brought to an abrupt end when police pulled him off a roof while he slept, the Greater Manchester Police said on Sunday (Aug 16).

Simon Harris, 37, was subsequently arrested on suspicion of causing public nuisance, criminal damage, public order offences, burglary and assaulting two police officers.

He was charged with four counts of criminal damage, two counts of assault of an emergency worker, intentionally or recklessly causing a public nuisance, burglary dwelling and theft, the BBC reported.

Emergency services had responded to the incident last Friday (Aug 13) at a property on Reservoir Street in Salford, spending two days at the scene.

The 37-year-old man, wanted on recall to prison for other matters, had set himself up on the roof of the property, refusing to leave.

A cordon was also put in place as the man was allegedly throwing tiles from the roof, Manchester Evening News reported.

In footage of the incident shared by the police, Harris can be seen lying face down on the roof as officers in tactical gear quietly approach, gently placing a ladder against the structure.

Without alerting the man, an officer scales the ladder. As he reaches the top, the man snaps awake.

The officer grasps the man by his jeans and a struggle ensues, with the officer pulling the man down and the latter resisting.

During the scuffle, Harris' jeans are pulled off and both take a tumble off the ladder and onto the ground below.

Multiple officers then surge in to aid with the arrest, as the video ends.

Salford district's detective chief inspector Helen Bagnall shared that the police had worked with partners to bring the matter to a "safe conclusion".

"This was an extensive use of vital policing resources and clearly demonstrates the dangers our officers face on a daily basis in order to protect the people of Greater Manchester," she said, adding that two officers suffered minor injuries in the incident.

Thanking the people of Salford for their patience and understanding, Bagnall stated that some properties were damaged due to the man's actions.

She assured: "We will work with partners to ensure affected residents will be supported going forward."

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khooyihang@asiaone.com