TWO teenagers have been arrested after slates were hurled off a roof, hitting police cars, after a five-hour stand-off in Poulton, Wallasey, last night.

Merseyside Police have confirmed that a second teenage boy was arrested following the incident in Hillcroft Road.

Officers were making enquiries in the Wallasey area following an assault yesterday afternoon when at around 8.30pm a 15-year-old youth climbed up onto the roof of a property in Hillcroft Road to evade speaking to them.

"He was then joined by a 16-year-old and the pair proceeded to cause considerable damage to roof tiles and a number of vehicles parked in the street," the police said in a statement.

At around 1am today one of the youths voluntarily came down from the roof and was immediately arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage and public order offences.

The other youth came down shortly before 2am and was arrested on suspicion of the same offences.

Both remain in police custody.

Hillcroft Road was cordoned off during the incident and residents were advised to stay in their homes while trained police officers negotiated with the youths.

Many moved their cars to avoid the slate and chimney brick missiles.

But this morning the damage caused is palpable.

One resident told the Globe: "I heard the police helicopter at about 9.30pm and it didn't leave until around 2am this morning.

"I wasn't terrified, I just couldn't believe what I was seeing. It was like a war zone. And just look at the mess."

Another said: "We were frightened and angry. People should not have to live like this."

The road remains blocked off this morning while the extent of the damage is assessed.

No one was injured during the incident.

Three police cars were among several vehicles damaged.

More later.