A police negotiator has told of his disgust after yobs encouraged a suicidal woman to jump from the top of a three-storey building in Chippenham.

Sergeant Martin Alvis was called to the derelict Royal Mail sorting offices in Station Hill on Friday after reports of a potential suicide attempt.

While Sgt Alvis coaxed the woman down from the building, a man shouted abuse and encouraged her to commit suicide. He said: “There were some very inappropriate bystanders shouting things from the railway station.

“Basically, they were encouraging her to jump. As a result, one male in his early 20s was arrested and given an £80 fine. You see that sort of thing happening in the movies but you just can’t believe it could happen in Chippenham.

“This was a genuine call of distress from somebody in dire need of help and assistance. There was quite a crowd who gathered to see what was happening, but a few individuals were really malicious.”

Sgt Alvis was the first to speak to the girl after an emergency call was made.

“When we arrived, the young lady was sitting at the top of the three-storey building with her legs over the edge,” he said.

“She had found a way to get to the roof and climbed up. I followed her up and spent around an hour and a half sitting with her and talking to her. Fortunately, she decided to come down, which is a great relief.”

The sergeant, who recently received a police award for 20 years of good service, said he was able to sit within six feet of the woman while speaking to her.

“I’m actually not keen at all on heights,” he said.

“But when you’re in the situation you just have to get on with it and keep a cool head. I’m thankful this particular incident had a successful outcome and I hope the young lady gets all the help she needs.”

A police spokesman said: “A 24-year-old girl from the area has been taken to hospital and is receiving psychiatric care after contem- plating taking her own life.

“There were signs that she had already self-harmed and it was important to get her to a place of safety.”

Traffic came to a near standstill while 15 police officers attended the scene.