Riot police called to Perth hostel stand-off

Armed riot police were scrambled to calm an alleged siege at a Perth city centre hostel.

Emergency services were called to Greyfriars House on Princes Street on Thursday, after reports that a man had barricaded himself into the building.

Onlookers said a resident was seen throwing furniture and fittings from the window of a first floor apartment.

Locals said during the incident, which kicked off at about 3pm, he shouted at police as they tried to talk him out of the property.

A police spokesman later confirmed a 19-year-old man will appear at Perth Sheriff Court today in connection with the incident.

He said that officers were called to Greyfriars at about 3.30pm. The incident was brought under control about an hour later.

He added that, although an armed response unit was called to the building, the public were never in any danger.

Greyfriars House is run by Perth and Kinross Council and offers temporary accommodation for homeless people.

Many who stay at the block are on the waiting list for a council home.

For more on this story, see Friday’s Courier.