UPDATED: Large police operation after topless man scales Bebington roof and starts throwing tiles

More than a dozen emergency vehicles were called out to Conway Court on Tuesday morning after a topless man was seen climbing on to the roof of a block of flats.

Neighbours described seeing the man throwing tiles off the roof and smashing windows.

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service was first called to the scene to assist the police at around 8.40am.

Despite coming down from the roof a few hours later, the man appeared to have barricaded himself into one of the flats, with a police negotiator sent to the scene.

He was later seen hanging out of one of the windows clutching a number of trainers.

A police cordon was put in place, including neighbouring Friars Close, with residents evacuated from their homes.

A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: "Patrols were called to flats at Conway Court at around 8.25am by a member of the public reporting a concern for the welfare of a teenager at the address.

"As a safety precaution, police cordoned off the area and evacuated the building.

"Officers are currently in negotiation with the man who has been on the roof of the property throwing roof tiles. The teenage boy is safe and well."

A 47-year-old man from the Birkenhead area has been arrested at the scene.

He has been taken to a Merseyside police station where he will be questioned by officers on suspicion of criminal damage and affray.

The building is now in the process of being returned to normal.
 

PICTURES: Large scale police operation after topless man throws tiles off Bebington roof. Photos by Paul Heaps.