Emergency services descended on Middleton town centre this afternoon in a tense standoff with a man on the roof of a property, with police confirming the man is wanted in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Greater Manchester Police and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service were called to the scene on Oldham Road - a major route linking Middleton with Oldham - at around 1pm. A large police cordon was put in place at Market Place, closing the road from both ends and forcing buses to divert away from the area.

Witnesses described a significant emergency services presence, with multiple ambulance crews, the Enhanced Rescue Unit, and a Tactical Aid Unit all in attendance. Later, additional officers carrying shields arrived at the scene, and police were seen examining a top-floor window of a building along the street.

A stretcher was visible inside the cordon outside one of the properties on Market Place, though no injuries have been reported at this stage.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: "We are responding to a man on the roof of a property on Oldham Road, Middleton. Emergency services and specialist officers are currently in attendance. Thank you for your patience as we deal with this incident."

The incident, which began around 1pm, led to significant disruption for motorists and pedestrians in the Middleton area. For Oldham residents who travel through Middleton or use Oldham Road, delays and diversions remained in place into the afternoon as the police operation continued.

The man has not been named, but the Manchester Evening News understands he is wanted by police. There is no indication of any immediate threat to the wider public, and officers have asked people to avoid the area while the situation is resolved.

Local councillors in Middleton have urged residents to remain patient and follow police advice. The incident underscores the close working relationship between emergency services across the boroughs, with officers and fire crews from surrounding areas, including Oldham, likely to have been involved in the response.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Greater Manchester Police on 101, or via the GMP website, quoting incident number XXX of July 22. In an emergency, always call 999.