More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A man has been talked down from the roof of a Maidstone town centre building more than four hours after fears he would jump.
Firefighters used a cherry picker to lift up a police negotiator to speak to the man in London Road, near the Formula One Autocentre.
He was persuaded to come down from the roof at about 4.15pm and wrapped in a blanket before being taken away in an ambulance.
The Kent Fire and Rescue Service height vehicle was brought in at about 4pm - more than four hours after emergency services were called to the scene.
Officers set up a cordon around the area after being called at soon after midday.
A Kent Police spokesman said they had received a report that a man might jump from the roof.
He said: "We were called to concerns for a man's welfare."
When officers arrived, the man was in a window of the building - before climbing onto the roof at about 1pm.
Around half-an-hour later, they decided to throw a cordon around the property.
Police vehicles were also parked on the road outside the building, causing delays for motorists.
The man's family were also believed to be at the scene.
Earlier, a witness said the man could be seen talking to someone on a mobile phone from the roof.
He said: "There's a lot activity here. I've seen at least four ambulances arrive at the scene."
Kent Fire and Rescue Service said a crew was sent to the scene to help police along with paramedics from South East Coast Ambulance Service.
