Terrified residents say they endured a sleepless night after a topless man wielding a knife allegedly attempted to break into flats in the early hours of this morning (Mon).

Residents of the building in Pimlico, central London were evacuated by police after hearing loud arguments and footsteps on the roof above them.



Witnesses say police finally apprehended the suspect at around 9:45am and they have finally been allowed to reenter their building.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed a man had been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. A woman, aged 35, has been treated for facial injuries.

Mobile phone footage shows a huge police presence outside the building, which sits beyond a large cordon - and a man outside a top floor flat.

Resident Ahad Mansour said he heard a man walking around on the rooftop - situated above his flat - and arguing loudly in the early hours of the morning.

He said: "Me and my friends saw it all. We were asked to leave the property and we only just got back indoors now [at around 11am]. "

"The guy eventually got apprehended by police with shields and weapons. "

"I was sitting with my friends and we heard a lot of loud noise around 2am. We thought it was just a drunk neighbour, but then we heard footsteps on the roof and saw a police van outside. "

"My friend tried to get to his car but was told he couldn't leave. We were scared as hell."

"He had tried to enter numerous properties [from the roof]. He was apprehended at around quarter to ten."

Fellow resident Fahmaan Saleh, 36, added: "Approaching 5am we heard footsteps on the roof. It sounded like the guy was circling... It was alarming. "

"I was about to sleep but I thought sleeping might not be such a good idea until it was resolved. "

"We were told the vacate the premises at around four or five."

"The guy was shirtless and going around the roof. It appeared he was looking for someone, knocking on the windows. "

"It was crazy. He was shouting, having very heated arguments."

The Metropolitan Police said: "At 09:40hrs on Monday, 7 April, a 35-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm following an incident in St George's Drive, Pimlico."

"Police initially responded to concerns for the welfare of a woman at 01:44hrs. Upon entering the address, the suspect fled to the roof of the building and was later detained by specialist officers."

"A 35-year-old woman was treated at the scene for facial injuries."

"A crime scene is in place while enquires continue. He remains in police custody. "