A MAN who was seen holding a knife to his chest was taken to hospital after a 20-hour roof standoff with police.

Dozens of officers were camped in a cul de sac in Baronsmead, Lordshill, Southampton, trying to negotiate with a man occupying a shed roof and holding a knife to his own chest.

Last night police were unable to disclose what had led to the stand-off, or the nature of the man’s action - but as darkness fell he refused to climb down.

Shocked neighbours had gathered throughout the day as they watched emergency vehicles arrive - including police cars, vans and an ambulance. The man, wearing a black T-shirt and grey trousers - is believed to be 19 - and had climbed onto the shed at 7am.

Police confirmed this morning that the man was taken to hospital at 3.50am but did not say if he was injured.

A Hampshire Constabulary statement said: "We can confirm we were called at around 8am yesterday to a concern for welfare after a man climbed onto the roof of a shed at an address, holding a knife, in Baronsmead, Southampton. 

"We remained at the scene and made continued our efforts to resolve the incident safely. 

"The man was taken to hospital at 3.50am this morning, Monday, September 12. 

"We would like to reassure residents that there was no wider risk to the community and to thank them for their patience whilst we dealt with this incident."

Part of the road and nearby pathways were sealed off while officers patrolled the pavements and paramedics waited next to a stretcher wheeled onto a front garden nearby.

A 24-year-old woman who lives nearby said: “A man is on the roof with a knife to his chest and he has pulled his top up.

"Armed police are in the house with shields and he won’t let people near him.

"His mum and dad are apparently in the house.”

It was unclear whether any armed officers were at the scene.

George Pearce, from Totton, visiting his mother, said: “There are lots of police here.

They are covering all exits and there is an ambulance with a stretcher but nobody has any idea what is happening.

“There’s a really big police presence, I have never seen anything like this.”

A woman living next door said she was woken by the sound of a dog barking but did not realise anything was wrong until police banged on her door shortly afterwards and explained they needed to occupy her house as part of their attempts to encourage him to get down.

She told the Daily Echo: “They wanted to come into the house and they told me I had to leave.

“I didn’t even have the chance to look out of the window before I left.”

Last night she was forced to stay with family and added: “They said they don’t know how long it is until I can go back in.”

A 66-year-old friend of hers said: “She’s very shaken by it. The police have gone into her house and are trying to get him off the roof.

"I am surprised that it has gone on for so long.”

Another neighbour who saw police parked up, said: “My first thought was that there was a raid. They have been here all day.

“It’s very scary.”

The man on the roof was seen standing and stretching his legs, but towards the end of the day he eventually sat down, sitting with his shoulders hunched as emergency services continued to try and speak with him.

People are believed to have thrown bottles of water up to him but it is unknown whether he ate or drank anything.

Last night the Daily Echo contacted police but no-one was available to comment.