A ‘foul-mouthed’ man throwing bricks at police from a rooftop has caused huge traffic jams in a city centre this morning.
Officers have been trying to negotiate him down overnight from the Chambers of Commerce building on a main road in Hull, East Yorkshire.
But he is thought to be moving from building to building, and Beverley Road has been blocked off to both vehicles and pedestrians.
The ‘foul-mouthed’ man throwing bricks at police from a rooftop has caused huge traffic jams
Police are paramedics are said to be wearing helmets to protect themselves from bricks and tiles being thrown from the roof.
The man has been on the rooftop since about 3pm yesterday and has been issuing ‘foul-mouthed’ rants to the authorities.
Officers initially cordoned off Norfolk Street in both directions to deal with the man – then at about 5pm, they shut Beverley Road in both directions for the public’s safety.
One Twitter user called Ross said: ‘The criminal almost smashed my windscreen with a roof tile. Sort it out.’
Officers have been trying to negotiate the man down overnight from the building in Hull
Another, Mrs Harding, tweeted: ‘Looks like it’s still closed, husband is going to try get down there now for work, he saw flashing blue lights as he was walking up to it.’
Others made reference to the on-duty Humberside Police officers who angered some people after being spotted on the dodgems at a fair over the weekend.
Liam Knaggs said: ‘I note that the police officers who enjoyed a five-minute break at Hull Fair are currently having bricks thrown at them on Beverley Road.’
A Humberside Police spokesman said shortly after 6am today: ‘Road closures remain in place on Beverley Road, Hull between Fountain Road and Freetown Way due to an ongoing incident where a man has taken to the roof of a property.
Beverley Road in the East Yorkshire city has been blocked off to both vehicles and pedestrians
‘Both vehicles and pedestrians are unable to travel through the area at this time. There is some limited access for those wishing to enter premises, officers are in attendance at the road closures to advise anyone wishing to do so.
‘Members of the public are urged to avoid the area and a cordon remains in place to ensure the safety of everyone nearby.
‘We would like to thank the local community for their patience whilst this incident is ongoing. ‘