Emergency police operation as entire block in Cairns is plunged into lockdown as cops ‘negotiate with a man’

Police declared an emergency and closed a city block while officers attempted to negotiate with a man.

A Public Safety Preservation Act was declared in the City of Cairns on Monday and an exclusion zone was established.

The area between Spence and McLeod Streets, Sheridan Street to Aplin Street, Bunda Street and Hartley Street is currently closed.

Emergency services responded to an incident in the corner of McLeod and Spence streets where a man had climbed onto the roof of Cairns Central.

A local who was there at the time took a photo of the “crazy man” looking at the police who were trying to “negotiate” with him.

There is no threat to the public.

Motorists and pedestrians are urged to avoid the area.

More to come