Burglary charge after man climbs on town centre roof

Part Ipswich town centre was closed off for about nine hours on Thursday

A 49-year-old man has been charged with burglary after a man climbed onto the roof of a town centre building in the early hours.

Suffolk Police was called to Buttermarket in Ipswich at at 04:35 BST on Thursday to reports of a burglary in progress at Carat's Jewellers.

A further report suggested a male suspect had climbed on the roof of the premises.

Shops were forced to close before the situation was resolved at about 13:40 and the cordon was lifted.

Specialist negotiators, ambulance staff and the fire service were also called to the scene.

The suspect was initially taken to hospital for assessment as a precaution before being arrested.

He has now been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Ipswich Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.

The man, who is from Ipswich, was also charged with another count of burglary relating to an incident at a business in Woodbridge Road in the town on Thursday, 9 May, when electrical items and a car were stolen.

Several areas around the town centre were cordoned off by officers while they dealt with the incident