POLICE IN THE English town of Telford have warned they will take action against a group of people who shouted “jump” as a distressed man perched on top of a multi-storey car park.
The incident happened in the Shropshire town, near Birmingham, on Saturday afternoon.
The Guardian reports that West Mercia police were called to the car park at Southwater, and that negotiators spoke to the man for around two hours.
He fell from the rooftop at around 3.40pm, and was pronounced dead at the scene. The man is yet to be formally identified.
Witness Chloe Jones said there were about 20 men and teenagers filming, as the incident developed.
“As we walked past, there were some youths shouting ‘Go on, do it – jump’,” she told the BBC
“It was almost like a form of entertainment for them… kids were screaming, running to the other side to see if they could get a better view.
“It was just so sad.”
“We do not condone such behaviour, and would hope that the local community would work with our officers to provide information regarding those who committed the cruel taunts,” West Mercia police detective sergeant Mark O’Connor said in a statement.
“This was clearly someone who was in need of support.
“In response to the activity on social media, the origin of any comments or material that is deemed to be unlawful will be investigated and appropriate police action will be taken against any identified individual.
“I would urge that any person who is in possession of any related material does not publish it any further and ensures it is disposed of.”
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