Cordon in place as prisoner spotted on roof of Strangeways prison
Specialist negotiators are attempting to talk him down
Last updated 12th Apr 2023
A cordon is in place near Strangeways prison in Manchester after an inmate was spotted on the roof of the building.
Police were called to the site on Southall Street at about 4:30pm on Wednesday, following concern for the welfare of a man.
Emergency services and specialist negotiators remain at the scene, and members of the public are being advised to avoid the area.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police 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."
A Prison Service spokesperson said: "We are working with emergency services to bring the prisoner down safely".
A video on social media shows a man, on the roof of a building, shouting and holding a large pole, while other footage appears to show the man smoking and making gestures.
The inmate also appears to have written 'Free IPPZ' on the roof of the prison. This is believed to be in reference to Imprisonment for Public Protection sentences - these were abolished in 2012 but thousands of people subject to such a sentence are still in jail.
IPP sentences were designed to detain offenders who posed a significant risk of causing serious harm to the public through further serious offences in prison until they no longer posed such a risk.
HMP Manchester is a Category A and B men's prison, still commonly referred to by its former name 'Strangeways'.
The name of the prison was changed following a 25-day riot in April 1990.