Victoria Police were involved in a lengthy standoff with a man who climbed onto the roof of a residential property in Norlane on Tuesday afternoon, prompting significant emergency response and street closures throughout the area.
Emergency Response in Norlane
The incident began around 3:30 PM on Tuesday, February 13, when police were called to a residence on Winifred Street following reports of a disturbance. Upon arrival, officers discovered a man had ascended to the rooftop of the property, refusing to come down.
Multiple police units, including specialist negotiators and the Critical Incident Response Team, quickly mobilised to the scene. Their immediate priority was ensuring the safety of the man, residents, and the broader community.
Authorities made the decision to close Winifred Street to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic as a precautionary measure. The closure created significant disruptions for local commuters during the late afternoon period.
Lengthy Negotiations and Peaceful Resolution
Police negotiators engaged in careful and sustained dialogue with the man for several hours. The operation unfolded in full public view, with concerned neighbours observing from a safe distance as officers worked to de-escalate the situation.
After approximately three hours of negotiations, the situation was resolved peacefully around 6:30 PM. The man voluntarily descended from the roof and was taken into police custody without further incident.
A Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed the successful resolution, stating the man was assisting police with their inquiries. The nature of the initial disturbance that prompted the police call-out remains under investigation.
Community Impact and Aftermath
The incident caused considerable disruption in the northern Geelong suburb, with emergency vehicles blocking access to Winifred Street near the intersection with Cox Road. The area is residential and located in close proximity to Corio Oval.
Local residents expressed relief that the standoff concluded without injury. The street was reopened to traffic shortly after the man was taken into custody, allowing normal activity to resume in the neighbourhood.
This incident marks another significant police operation in the Geelong region, demonstrating the coordinated response capabilities of Victoria Police when dealing with complex public safety situations.
