A MAN climbed on to the roof of his home with his 20-month-old daughter and kept police at bay for almost 12 hours after a domestic dispute escalated into a siege yesterday (August 30).

Armed officers sealed off the quiet residential area of Highcliffe as the man hurled tiles at the police and shouted abuse at them.

Residents were asked to stay in their homes as the drama unfolded.

The incident started around 2pm yesterday afternoon and was sparked by a heated argument between the man and his wife in Cranemoor Close.

The woman fled the property and a number of police response units were called to the scene as the man sat on the sloping roof of the bungalow with the child.

Back-up was called for as there were fears that the man had armed himself with a nail gun but no threats were made against the youngster.

An adjoining road, Cranemoor Avenue, off Hinton Wood Road was also closed off.

Negotiators continued talking with him but no arrest could be made because of the toddler's presence.

When the man went inside at around 2am, a fire ladder was placed against the window he was using to access the roof and he gave himself up shortly afterwards.

The toddler was checked over by medical staff and then reunited with her anxious mother.

A police spokesperson confirmed that a man had been taken into custody.

"An arrest could not be made earlier because of the dangers to the child," she said.

She praised the patience of residents throughout the episode and the support of the Dorset Fire Service.

Neighbours Rob and Kathy Coomber were allowed into their home in Cranemoor Avenue at 7pm last night after returning from an afternoon out.

Mrs Coomber said: "It was quite a dramatic scene and the little girl's auntie was pacing the street. She was beside herself. Fortunately it all ended peacefully but it's not the sort of the thing you expect to see."

A 42-year-old man was being questioned today over the incident.

First published: August 31