Negotiators are currently attempting to talk down a prisoner who has scaled the roof of Strangeways. A man was first seen on the roof of the jail just outside Manchester city centre, officially known as HMP Manchester, earlier this evening.
The police say they were alerted at around 4:30pm. A cordon is currently in place on and around Southall Street surrounding the prison, which has been closed. There are multiple police vans and an ambulance at the scene.
It is understood that the prisoner has not threatened to harm himself or anyone else. and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said there was 'believed to be no wider threat to the public.'
READ MORE: LIVE: Prisoner spotted on roof of Strangeways prison - latest updates
Specialist negotiators are at the scene and talks with him are said to be continuing with the man, around two and a half hours since first appearance.
The man could earlier be seen donning a waterproof poncho as rain lashed down onto the roof, also making a love heart symbol with his hands.
In the last few minutes, the Prison Service released a statement confirming a prisoner was on the roof. "We are working with emergency services to bring the prisoner down safely," a spokesperson said.
Some people have been seen arriving at the cordon to try and see what is happening but officers are asking the public to avoid the area for the time being.
A spokesperson for GMP said: "At around 4:30pm today (Wednesday 12 April 2023), officers were called to a concern for welfare of a man on Southall Street.
"Emergency services are currently at the scene with specialist negotiators.
"Road closures in and around Southall Street will remain in place until further notice. Members of the public are asked to avoid the area. There is believed to be no wider threat to the public."
The jail is one of the country's largest high-security, category A men's prisons. The jail, to the north of Manchester city centre, which has a capacity for over 1,200 inmates, was rebuilt following the infamous Strangeways riot of April 1990 – the biggest disturbance in prison service history.
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