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

Police have declared a state of emergency and closed a city block as officers try to negotiate with a man.

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

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

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

A local resident who was there at the time took a photo of the “crazy man” looking down 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.

There’s more to come