School closes for three days after police stand-off with man on roof | UK News
A school in west London was forced to shut for three days after a stand-off between a man on the roof and the police.
The man climbed onto the top of a building at Sacred Heart High School in Hammersmith at around 9.20pm on Monday but had refused to come down.
Specialist negotiators were deployed to the scene in an attempt to persuade the man to come back to safety.
The school, a Catholic comprehensive for girls aged 11 to 18, was still closed today and students had all their classes moved to online learning.
Headteacher Mrs O’Donovan sent a letter to parents, which has been seen by the Evening Standard, explaining that a ‘man with mental health difficulties’ climbed onto the roof of the ‘main building’.
She wrote earlier today: ‘The police contained the situation early on but as I send this letter out the situation is not yet resolved.
‘Specialist negotiators have been on site throughout the day.’
Pictures from the scene appeared to show the man throwing chimney pots and TV aerials to the ground.
He reportedly caused damage to the building as a result.
A huge squad of police officers were also seen at the school.
Mrs O’Donovan said police wanted to attempt a ‘further strategy’ to remove the intruder but she insisted it couldn’t take place until all pupils were off site.
Students have been escorted by staff to an exam hall at the nearby St Paul’s Girls’ School in order to sit their A-level exams this week.
A Met Police spokesman said: ‘Police were called at about 21:20hrs on Monday, 17 June to reports of a man on the roof of a school building.
‘Officers remain in attendance and continue to engage with the man with the aim of bringing the situation to a safe conclusion.’
The school has now confirmed the ordeal finally came to an end tonight.
It said in an update issued on its website at 9.40pm: ‘We are pleased to confirm that the trespasser on site has been safely removed and school will be open as normal tomorrow.’