Shock moment man in Birmingham launches roof tiles to the ground during standoff with police
Shocking footage shows the moment a man began ‘launching tiles at emergency services’ after clambering onto a roof during a tense standoff with police in Birmingham
West Midlands Police officers were called after the 26-year-old suspect was spotted climbing across the rooftops of several houses in the Selly Oak area of Birmingham.
Mobile phone video captured the man precariously wobbling as he balanced on the roof before he started ripping up tiles and hurling them to the street below.
Two fire engines can be seen parked up nearby while police officers keep their distance as debris rains down next to them during the rooftop siege at around 4pm on Monday (March 16).
One eyewitness said: "There were just loads of people standing around and then we noticed a guy running across the rooftops and he was lucky not to fall at one point.
"Then he just started launching tiles at emergency services who were on the street below. I don't know what caused it or how long he was up there as he disappeared out of view - but it's not something you see every day."
Onlookers can be heard exclaiming "Oh my god" and "what the f**k" as the man made his way across the roofs of the terraced properties.
West Midlands Police said the man was later arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, exposure and assault following the incident, which happened near Selly Oak railway station.
A force spokesperson said: "We were called to reports of a man on a roof on Bristol Road, Selly Oak just before 4pm yesterday (16 Mar).
"The matter was brought to a safe conclusion and a 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, exposure and assault.
"He remains in custody for questioning.
"Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to call 101 quoting log 3833 of 16 March."
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We were called to reports of concern for a patient’s welfare on Bristol Road at 4.29pm, one ambulance, a paramedic officer and specialist paramedics attended the scene.
"On arrival we discovered two patients, a man and a woman, both of whom were assessed and discharged at the scene."
