A TORFAEN man has been arrested after causing damage to a Gwent Police vehicle while standing on a Pontypool pub roof.

The 36 year-old Trevethin man was on the roof of the White Hart Hotel in George Street, Pontypool for more than three hours on Sunday evening after climbing from a window at around 4pm.

Officers arrived at 4.10pm which led to a stand-off as the distressed man refused any assistance and instead threw stones and roof tiles at the police, causing criminal damage.

An eye-witness, who did not want to be named, said: "It’s been a stand-off between police and the man, there are people speaking to him hoping that he comes down.

"There is quite a crowd watching it, it all doesn't seem right and he has been throwing roof tiles at an officer."

A crowd of around 40 to 50 people formed which led to police having to close Osborne Road, to the back of the pub, while firefighters attempted the rescue the man.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service have confirmed that crews from Malpas, New Inn and Ebbw Vale, including two line rescue teams, were at the scene from 5pm until just after 7.30pm.

A Gwent Police spokeswoman said: “On Sunday October 16 at approximately 4.10pm, Gwent Police were called to reports of man on the roof of the White Hart pub in Pontypool.

"On arrival the man was throwing what we believe to be roof tiles, damaging a police vehicle.

“The 36 year old man from Trevethin, Pontypool was arrested on suspicion of two counts of criminal damage. He is currently in police custody.”