There were "chaotic" scenes at Richmond Bridge tonight after emergency services were called out to reports that somebody had been caught out by the tide.

Crews from Richmond police, the London Ambulance Service and the London Fire Brigade were dispatched after a 999 call was made saying somebody had been seen by the River Thames and had been cut off by the tide, at about 7pm, today.

They were "stood down" after a search of the river and its banks found nothing.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: "It has been stood down now.

"We were called out following reports that somebody had been cut off from the tide.

"They have been down there and could not find anything," and as such "have left the area."