RUSH-HOUR traffic was brought to a standstill this morning (Thursday) after a man wielding a weapon was seen on the roof of a shop.

At about 5.30am police were called to the Costcutters shop, High Road, Acton, after an intruder managed to climb onto the roof of the shop and began throwing things at members of the public below.

Police were unable to confirm whether the man was brandishing a knife or a bottle but the area was cordoned off for several hours while police negotiators tried to talk the man into coming down.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "The man was very distressed and was threatening to harm himself. At around 8.20am officers grabbed the man from a window ledge and he was arrested."

The man is currently in custody and the surrounding roads have been re-opened.

July 11, 2002 10:30