POLICE sealed off a section of Northallerton High Street tonight after a youth clambered onto a roof and began hurling tiles into the road below.

The incident began at about 8.30pm after the youth emerged onto the roof somewhere near Argos.

One bystander, who asked not to be named, said: "It's all very dramatic. He's up there throwing roof slates down into the street."

Officers closed the High Street between Zetland Street and Thirsk Road.

Roof tiles were thrown right across the other side of the street.

He later disappeared and is thought to have gone inside one of the flats in the buildings below.

He was detained by police shortly before 11pm.

Fire crews also attended the scene with a turntable ladder to carry out a safety check of the roof.