POLICE negotiators talked a man down to safety from a roof in Breightmet following concerns for his welfare.

Officers spent more than two hours talking to the 24-year-old man who had climbed through a window on to the roof of a two-storey flat this morning.

Police, firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene in Goldrill Avenue just after 6.20am.

Firefighters from Bolton North set up a ladder to reach the man while special police negotiators attempted to talk him down.

Inspector Dave Henthorne led the operation which was treated as a medical incident due to concerns for the man’s health.

He said: “We believe the young man needed help. He was in crisis and there were no criminal offences.

“He was talked down by two trained police negotiators with the assistance of the fire brigade and paramedics at the scene.

“We negotiated with him for over two hours and he came down later of his own accord.

“We have managed to get him to hospital for treatment.”

It is believed the man was a visitor to the flats and, after being assessed by medics, was taken to Royal Bolton Hospital.

Neighbour Neil Outram, aged 36, called the emergency services when he was woken up by the incident.

He said: “It was about half four in the morning and I heard someone screaming for help.

“I rang 999 but they had already received multiple calls about it.

“He was a young man, I’d say in his mid-20s. I had never seen him before.

“I was quite surprised he didn’t fall, he was running backwards and forwards. He was lucky to get down. The main thing is that he’s safe now.”

Police and fire crews left the scene at around 9.15am.