Police with riot shields were involved in a five hour stand off with a woman causing a disturbance in Thornton Heath.

Witnesses said they saw the woman throwing items and screaming from a window on the second floor of Crystal Court,  on Saturday morning.

Our picture shows officers in protective gear with shields outside the block which is owned by Orbit Housing Association and is above bookmakers Paddy Power on Woodville Road.

The pavement outside Crystal Court was cordoned off during the incident. Inside the block there were half a dozen more officers trying to negotiate with the occupant.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “Police were called at approximately 9.45am on Saturday December 15, to reports of a woman causing a disturbance and throwing items from an address in Woodville Road, Thornton Heath.

“Officers attended and attempted to engage with the woman.

“At approximately 2.55pm the woman was detained by officers and taken to hospital for a mental health assessment.”