Pictured: Moment police capture topless man who stormed on to packed train with a knife
This is the moment police in Peckham captured and detained a topless man who sparked panic after he boarded a train with a knife.
Officers were called to an address following reports of an armed man going through a mental health crisis but by the time they arrived at his reported location he had fled.
He ended up on a train at Queens Road Peckham railway station in London while still carrying the blade.
Pursuing officers eventually caught up and detained the man – believed to be in his mid-50s – with a Taser.
He has since been held under the Mental Health Act.
Images from the scene show a man getting walked along the train station platform by police officers – with a knife clearly visible in the hands of one.
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A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: "Officers were called at 12:20hrs on Tuesday, 18 February to an address in Queens Road, SE15.
"A man was reported to be at the location armed with a knife and having a mental health crises.
"Officers attended, but the man had left in a car.
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"After a search of the area officers located the car and a police pursuit was authorised.
"The driver decamped from the car in Queens Road, and ran along railway lines to Queens Road Peckham Railway Station.
"He then boarded a train – which was in service and contained passengers – still armed with a knife.
"The pursuing officers located the man on the train, and deployed a Taser to detain him.
"London Ambulance Service have attended the scene and the man, believed to be aged in his mid-50s, has been detained under the Mental Health Act.
"There are no reports of any injuries to members of the public or officers.”
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Detective Superintendent Nicky Arrowsmith said: "This incident highlights the challenges that police officers confront on a daily basis.
"I am very proud of the courage and determination of all the officers involved, and pleased that their work helped ensure no member of the public suffered any harm."
