CANVEY High Street was closed during a five hour standoff between police and a man on a pub roof.

Officers were called to the Admiral Jellicoe pub in High Street at about 12.15pm on Saturday following reports of a disturbance, when one of the suspects in the incident climbed onto the roof of the pub, where he would stay until about 5pm.

The street was closed at the junction of St Annes Road while officers attempted to talk the man down, joined by a number of police vehicles and the fire service, eventually arresting him on suspicion of common assault.

A police spokesman said yesterday morning: “Police had gone to the Admiral Jellicoe pub following reports of a disturbance in private accommodation.

“While making enquiries at the location a suspect climbed onto the roof of the building at around 12.15pm.

“He remained on the roof for almost five hours before coming down.

“The man, aged 27, from Basildon, was subsequently arrested on suspicion of common assault and has been taken to Basildon police station for interview where he currently remains.”

A High Street resident, who did not want to be named, described a large police presence of about 10 vehicles, causing significant traffic problems on the island.

He said: “He was on the roof because he wanted by the police – half of Canvey was shut because of it.

“They were talking to him to try get him down and he was threatening to jump off at one point but he wasn’t sad or depressed – he just didn’t want to come down because he knew he would get arrested.”

During the standoff on Saturday, officers had expressed “significant concern” for the man’s welfare.

The pub was taken over by new landlady Kyla Cox, 29, in March with plans to carry out a £300,000 refurbishment including a new restaurant area.

Ms Cox refused to comment.