Man 'throwing tiles off roof' arrested after 13-hour stand-off with police in Darwen

A man who was throwing tiles off a roof forced roads around Blackurn Road to close while police tried to get the man down.
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Police were called to reports of a man throwing tiles off a roof on Blackburn Road, close to Hollins Grove Surgery, at around 1.10pm yesterday (March 5).

Eyewitnesses claim to have heard the man, who had covered his face with a piece of cloth, shouting "legalise cannabis".

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Roads around Blackburn Road were closed for 13 hours while police attempted to get the man down safely.

The man was brought down by a fire service crane after a 13-hour stand-off with police (March 6). (Credit: Chris Archer - @SDM_Pendle)The man was brought down by a fire service crane after a 13-hour stand-off with police (March 6). (Credit: Chris Archer - @SDM_Pendle)
The man was brought down by a fire service crane after a 13-hour stand-off with police (March 6). (Credit: Chris Archer - @SDM_Pendle)

The 31-year-old man was brought down by a fire service crane in the early hours of this morning (March 6).

He was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and public order offences.

A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: "The man was brought down around 2am this morning using an aerial ladder platform from the fire service.

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"A 31-year-old man from Darwen was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and public order offences and is in custody."

Police and fire service drones flew for eight hours during the incident.

A number of illegal drones were encountered amid the operation.

The pilot of one of the drones was intercepted and reported to police.

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A spokesperson for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: "@LFRS_DRONE flew with @LancsTacOps drone yesterday for eight hours on the Darwen 'siege' incident.

"We encountered several illegal rogue drones, and intercepted the pilot of one who has been reported to the police.

"It's illegal, dangerous and reckless, please do not fly at our jobs."

There was heavy traffic in the area as a result of the road closures, and bus services from Darwen to Blackburn were also affected.

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A spokesperson for Blackburn Bus Company said: "Due to a police incident the No. 1 buses are unable to reach stops from Branch Road to Darwen town centre.

"We're using a different route through lower Darwen and Goosehouse."

Police have thanked all the residents of Darwen for their patience.