Man who 'threw objects onto train tracks' arrested after 24 hours on Kensington rooftop
A man has been arrested after a person was seen throwing objects onto train tracks while spending more than 24 hours on the roof of a house in Kensington.
The incident brought chaos to rail services on Monday, causing the suspension of London Overground and Southern trains.
Police were called to Russell Gardens Mews, near Kensington Olympia station, around 4.20am on Monday to reports of a man on a roof.
Officers spent more than 24 hours unsuccessfully attempting to talk a man down, before he eventually came down shortly before 5am on Tuesday.
“He threw a number of items down onto nearby railway tracks,” said a Scotland Yard spokesperson.
“Officers attended and spoke with him following concerns for his welfare.
“He was arrested and taken to hospital as a precaution.”
Police declined to elaborate on the tactics they employed to try to get the man down.
Photos from the scene appeared to show a man flinging masonry items including chimneypieces onto the mews below.
At one point he was seen climbing into a nearby tree.
Neighbours were pictured craning from windows to see what was happening, while a crowd of police officers in riot gear were pictured standing below as the events unfolded. The fire brigade also attended the scene.
Juliette Smith, who lives nearby, said on Monday she and her neighbours had been evacuated by the police.
“Some of the houses have been trashed,” she told the Standard. “My neighbour has been in tears.
“The police are in my house. They were thinking of going through the skylight to get him. He was shouting and throwing stuff.”
The incident affected commuter services between Watford Junction and Clapham Junction during Monday morning’s rush hour, with disruption lasting all day.
