A distressed woman who got in the Thames in the early hours of the morning by Twickenham Bridge was helped to safety by the police.

Teddington RNLI crews were called by the coastguard to help the police at about 4.30am today, after reports of a woman potentially in the Thames near Twickenham Bridge by the A316.

The woman was reportedly on the Middlesex bank on the north shore and told police she would enter the water.

When she saw the lifeboat crew coming she got into the water via some steps but was helped out by the police.

The London Ambulance Service (LAS) was called at 4.46am and sent two duty officers who were on standby and not needed.