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Man in tree leads Southeastern trains to halt service Man in tree leads Southeastern trains to halt service
(about 1 hour later)
A suspected burglar who climbed up a tree to evade police has caused disruption to commuters in London. A man suspected of burglary who climbed a tree to evade police has caused disruption to commuters in London.
The man climbed the tree near Charlton station, south-east London, at about 02:00 BST after being tracked by officers and a police helicopter.The man climbed the tree near Charlton station, south-east London, at about 02:00 BST after being tracked by officers and a police helicopter.
British Transport Police (BTP) have been trying to persuade the man to come down from the tree, near Barney Close. British Transport Police (BTP) said he climbed down the tree near Barney Close, at about 19:00.
However, rail operator Southeastern said it was too dangerous to continue running trains in the area. The 32-year-old was arrested on suspicion of burglary and the obstruction of trains with intent.
A BTP spokesman said: "The man is currently still on the scene, and specialist officers are talking to him in order to resolve the situation." Rail operator Southeastern said it had to suspend services while the man refused to come down as it was too dangerous to continue running trains in the area.
It is understood the man ran off following an attempted burglary at a retail park. Earlier in the day a statement on its website said: "Because of an ongoing trespass incident, our services via Woolwich Arsenal and Greenwich may be cancelled, delayed or diverted via Bexleyheath."
There are up to 20 officers at the scene and scaffolding has been put up next to the tree to get close to the man. About 20 BTP officers attended the scene and scaffolding was put up next to the tree to get close to the man.
BTP said there were cherry pickers at the scene, and negotiators have been talking to the man. Cherry pickers were also used and negotiators spoke to the man in an attempt to coax him down.
Southeastern said it was not safe to run services while the man was refusing to come down.
A spokeswoman said: "Clearly, while this person remains in the tree, which overhangs the line that runs into London, it wouldn't be safe for us to run trains in the area."
After the initial closure the train operator was able to run trains out of London.
A statement on its website said: "Because of an ongoing trespass incident, our services via Woolwich Arsenal and Greenwich may be cancelled, delayed or diverted via Bexleyheath."