Westminster Bridge closed as police issue urgent warning to avoid area

Police have told Londoners to avoid Westminster Bridge as they have cordoned it off due to a major incident.

Both sides of the major thoroughfarehave been shut with drivers being told to expect serious delays. Ambulances, police and fire crews rushed to the scene shortly after 11am.

Police have now provided an update about what has caused the closure.

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A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “Police are currently on Westminster Bridge following concerns for the welfare of a man.

"Officers were called at 10:12hrs on Wednesday, 8 October and are now in the process of speaking to the man. The bridge is currently closed to traffic and we ask people to avoid the area at this time.”

The London Fire Brigade told The Standard: “We are currently assisting emergency service colleagues and have three fire engines, two fire rescue units and our fire boat in attendance.”

TfL is telling motorists to "use an alternative route". It says: “There are southbound delays on Lambeth Palace Road from Lambeth Bridge. Westbound delays on Lambeth Bridge back to Prat Walk and both directions on Victoria Street between Parliament Square and Grosvenor Gardens.

"Victoria Embankment is also closed between Bridge Street and Horse Guards.”

Images from the scene show a cordon has been set up, behind which ambulances can be seen standing in the middle of the road.

Bus routes which typically run through the area have been diverted this morning, with traffic scanners suggesting the road has been shut for at least three hours.

Police have been seen operating behind the cordon, with the London Metropolitan Police only confirming the incident was mental-health related, and that no injuries have been reported.

The Westminster Bridge incident comes after an earlier points failure on the Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and the Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate. Metropolitan line delays still remain while the rest of the lines have reopened.

The bridge had previously been closed in August following a mental-health related incident. Dramatic pictures of the scene captured the empty Thames crossing point.

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