Tower Bridge briefly shut down after man scales railings

Tower Bridge has been briefly shut down after a person climbed up the railings.

City Of London Police said under an hour after reports of the incident emerged the man had "safely come down" and would be reopening the bridge.

The incident was first reported at the end of Monday morning. The man was back on the ground by around 12.30pm.

Police said: "The man has safely come down from the railings on Tower Bridge.

"The bridge will reopen shortly. Thank you for your patience."

The incident saw the bridge being "closed to traffic and pedestrians" with the public being urged to "avoid the area where possible".

Firefighters attended the scene and raised a ladder so rescuers could communicate with the man, who was wearing a hooded top.

Other reports said river traffic on the Thames had also been disrupted.

Small crowds gathered near the bridge watching as the events unfolded.

It comes after a man spent more than 16 hours perched on the Elizabeth Tower - which is the home to Big Ben - on Saturday.

Westminster Bridge was forced to close to traffic during the incident as tourists gathered to watch.

Daniel Day, 29, of Palmerston Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, faces charges of intentionally or recklessly causing a public nuisance and trespassing on a protected site.