Drone footage has captured the moment police ended a 48-hour rooftop stand-off in Salford by grabbing a suspect as he slept. The man, 37, was arrested on suspicion of causing public nuisance, criminal damage, public order offences, burglary and assaulting two police officers.
How the stand-off ended
The incident began on Thursday evening on Ash Street in Salford, prompting a significant response from police, fire and ambulance services. Another police force had asked Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to make the arrest so the suspect could be returned to prison. A cordon was erected and one nearby householder was evacuated for their own safety.
By Saturday evening, the drama had not yet ended. Footage from a police drone revealed the man was taking a nap on a veranda roof just below the main roof. Police then moved in. Crack riot-trained Tactical Aid Unit cops climbed a ladder and grabbed the prone suspect, who had earlier been captured hurling tiles from the roof.
Arrest and injuries
One officer at the top of the ladder managed to grab the man, who struggled briefly but was eventually pulled from the roof, falling into the garden below. The suspect's trousers were pulled down during the incident, and the semi-naked protester ended up falling on top of the officer who had grabbed him. Two police officers suffered minor injuries.
Today (Sunday, August 16, 2026), GMP released the drone footage, dubbing it a 'roof awakening'. The suspect remains in police custody for questioning.
Police statement
Detective Chief Inspector Helen Bagnall, of GMP's Salford division, said: "During two days of disruption to the local community, we worked continuously with our partners to bring this matter to a safe conclusion. This was an extensive use of vital policing resources and clearly demonstrates the dangers our officers face on a daily basis in order to protect the people of Greater Manchester."
She added: "Two of our officers suffered minor injuries during this incident. I would like to reiterate my thanks to the people of Salford for their patience and understanding whilst emergency service personnel dealt with this incident. Some properties have been damaged as a result of this man’s actions. We will work with partners to ensure affected residents will be supported going forward."
