RESIDENTS have spoken of their “shock” after police were involved in a 90-minute stand-off with a man who had climbed onto a roof in Southampton city centre.

Passers-by watched in shock as police “swarmed” Bedford Place after a man was seen standing on top of XOXO bar.

Paramedics also descended on the scene to help police as they responded to the concern for welfare calls, which first was reported around 11.30am yesterday.

The road was reopened around 1pm.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of possession of a bladed article and for failure to attend court.

One witness, Ryan Perry, said he saw a man on top of the roof.

The 22-year-old Southampton Solent University student said: “It was quite a shock.

“All the police suddenly turned up and cordoned off the area.

Daily Echo:

“They were almost instantly, it wasn’t just one it was three of four cars and paramedics as well.”

Another witness said the man had climbed up a ladder, belonging to a maintenance worker, to gain access to the roof of XOXO.

She said: “I heard shouting and then I saw police swarming the area and I heard that there was a man of the roof.

“They didn’t look like police at first, I think they were undercover or plain- clothed officers, but then uniformed officers started to swarm the area.”

Around a dozen officers, some armed with Tasers, were at the scene and helped to cordon off Bedford Place between Henstead Road and Wilton Avenue.

Two South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) vehicles were also at the scene, including an incident response unit.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said: “Officers attending a concern for welfare have arrested a 20-year-old man on suspicion of possession of a bladed article and for failure to attend North Hampshire Magistrates’ Court on January 28.

“He remains in custody.