A MAN who scaled York Minster and secured himself to a roof has been brought to safety.

The man had used a harness and climbing rope to clip himself to a number of points on the vestry roof.

It is understood the man, who had a supply of food and drink, had made several demands to police relating to access to his child.

He came down at about 9.15pm and was arrested for causing a public nuisance.

The man had requested that a journalist from The Press attend while he was on the roof to photograph what he was doing. Following this he agreed to come down.

Inspector Geoff Crocker, of North Yorkshire Police, who is in charge of the scene at the Minster, said while the incident was ongoing: "He is wearing a harness and he has roped himself onto the scaffolding.

"He is clearly unhappy about something that has happened in his life and is making demands. His intentions are not clear."

Professional police negotiators were brought to the scene to talk to him.

Emergency services were called to the scene after 5.30pm. Eyewitness Tony Neal said: "The man was on the scaffolding and the Minster Police called York Police. He was shouting that he wanted to know where his son was.

"The street was cleared shortly after that."

A large crowd had formed to watch the man climb the scaffolding.

The entire area around the Minster was cordoned off.

The man is not from the campaign group Fathers 4 Justice. He is in his late 40s or in his 50s and is understood to be from the West Yorkshire area. West Yorkshire Police are aware of the matter, police said.