Police incident at Bury the Rock nears 48 hours as woman remains on car park roof for days

Officers were first called to the scene at 11pm on Tuesday

A stand-off at Bury the Rock between police and a woman at the car park is nearing the 48 hour mark. Cordons remain in place with emergency services and specialist negotiators at the scene.

In a statement issued on Thursday afternoon, Greater Manchester Police said officers ‘remained at the scene throughout the day and night’. It followed concern for welfare calls first made at 11pm on Tuesday (May 26).

As of Thursday at 10pm, some 47 hours after being called to the incident, the woman remained on the top floor of the multi-storey car park. Greater Manchester Police said her welfare was ‘our priority’ and that emergency services would continue ‘working towards a safe conclusion’.

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Pictures taken on Thursday night show cordons still in place on the ground along Derby Way. The woman has since been given a police jacket to keep warm. Fire service crews and multiple ambulances remain in attendance.

The Manchester Evening News understands the same woman sparked an alert at the same location in Bury town centre last week.

In a statement on Thursday lunchtime, GMP said: “While this incident remains ongoing, our priority is the welfare of the woman and working towards a safe conclusion.

“We understand the disruption this has caused to nearby residents, workers, businesses and visitors. Resources and emergency services are at the scene to resolve this safely.

“We are aware this is a recurring incident, and we continue to work with other services to avoid a repeat and prevent further disruption.”

Meanwhile, Superintendent Phil Spurgeon added: “Our officers have remained at the scene throughout the day and night with negotiators, GMFRS, NWAS and health professionals to work towards a safe conclusion.

“We are aware of concerns around the recent high temperatures and the length of time the woman has been up there; our priority is her welfare and bringing her to safety.

“We understand frustrations due to the disruption this incident has caused for nearby residents, workers and businesses, but our immediate priority is a safe conclusion. We have resources at the scene to try to minimise any disruption and return the town centre to business as usual as soon as it is safe to do so.”