Two police officers have been assaulted prior to a man making his way to the roof of Dorset County Hospital.

Police were called to reports at Dorset County Hospital off Williams Avenue at 6.40pm yesterday (Wednesday, September 4) raising concern for the welfare of a man on the roof.

Attempts were made to engage with the man and he was taken to safety around 12.15am, six hours after it was reported that he was there. He was then given the appropriate care. 

Crews from Dorchester Fire Station, along with a team from Weymouth and Yeovil were called to assist with the incident. A police NPAS helicopter also attended to assist with this incident.

Officers from Dorset Police are investigating the assaults on their officers who did not sustain any serious injuries, police say.

A spokesperson for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “A crew from Dorchester along with technical rescue teams from Weymouth and the aerial ladder platform from Yeovil were called to Williams Avenue at 6.40pm yesterday evening to assist with a police incident.”

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "Dorset Police received a report at 6.40pm on Wednesday, September 4, raising concern for the welfare of a man on a roof at Dorset County Hospital.

"Officers attended and attempts were made to engage with the man. They were assisted by the fire service and he was taken to safety at around 12.15am on Thursday, September 5. The man was given appropriate care."

"We would like to thank members of the public for their patience and understanding as the emergency services responded to this incident and all those involved in bringing it to a safe conclusion.

"The officers did not sustain serious injuries, however we take all reports of assaults on emergency workers very seriously and would urge any witnesses or anyone with information regarding the incident to please contact us."