A man spent more than seven hours on a roof in central Streatham yesterday in a stand off with police and emergency services sparked by threats he would jump.

The incident casused traffic chaos with thousands of cars and buses gridlocked around Streatham Green yesterday afternoon and evening as parts of both Streatham High Road and Mitcham Lane were cordoned off by police.

The man appeared on the roof of a three-storey block of flats above a row of shops between the two main roads near Streatham Station at 10.30am and was still up there almost 7 hours later.

Police say the man came down of his own accord about 9pm, when he was taken to a south London hospital and assessed under the Mental Health Act.

Witnesses described how police had created a "tent-like" structure towards the end of the afternoon below the building.

Police negotiators and the fire brigade were at the scene most of the day to trying to persuade him to come down.

A large crowds of people formed to watch.

One onlooker said: "It was a pretty disturbing scene.

"This man was obviously very vulnerable but parts of the crowds turned on him and shouted for him to jump.

"It was pretty horrible to watch."

The shocking actions have been condemned by charity Samaritans.

Joe Ferns, Director of Policy and Projects with Samaritans, called the goading "irresponsible and dangerous.”

He said: “It is a sad fact that people who feel suicidal sometimes find their feelings can be dismissed or even mocked by people around them.

"When someone expresses thoughts or feelings of suicide these should always be taken seriously, the myth that such things are merely ‘cries for help’ is misguided, unhelpful and undoubtedly costs lives.

"Samaritans believes that if someone has the opportunity to talk about how they feel it can help them explore their options and find a way forward.

"By dismissing or mocking someone, the person in distress is effectively gagged from being able to talk about what they are going through and to do this is irresponsible and dangerous.”

• Samaritans provides confidential non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide.


They can be contacted by phone on 020 8681 6666 or visit www.samaritans.org to find your local branch.