Police arrest burglary suspect who had climbed tree in Belfast

By David Young, PA

Police investigating two reported burglaries in west Belfast have arrested a suspect who had climbed a tree.

The PSNI said lengthy negotiations were required to bring the man down from the tree in an operation on Saturday night that also involved the NI Fire and Rescue Service.

The 32-year-old man was subsequently arrested on suspicion of two counts of attempted burglary and disorderly behaviour.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “We initially received a report at approximately 9.10pm on Saturday evening, 18th January of an attempted burglary in the Andersonstown Park West area of the city.

“A short time later, officers received a second report of an attempted burglary at another house in the Fruithill Park area of the city at around 9.45pm.

“It was reported that a suspicious man had tried to enter a house through a window. Further inquiries were made and officers established the suspect had climbed a nearby tree.

“Following a lengthy negotiation, officers alongside colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service brought the man down to safety.

“The 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of two counts of attempted burglary and disorderly behaviour.”

The police urged anyone with information to come forward.