Trespasser on railway track at Waterloo station causes severe delays for commuters

Thousands of commuters faced severe delays at Waterloo Station this evening after a trespasser was pursued by police along the railway track during the rush hour.

Commuters were told to expect delays of up to 60 minutes after a man began walking along the line away from the station at about 4.40pm.

Pictures posted on Twitter showed the man, who was dressed in white with a black bum bag, speaking to officers as they tried to stop him.

He is understood to have been detained under the Mental Health Act within 40 minutes of the incident.

At one point a train passenger is alleged to have goaded him from inside their carriage, prompting him to pick up a rock and become aggressive, according to reports.

A British Transport Police spokesman said: "Officers were called to Waterloo station at 4.40pm after reports of a man trespassing on the line.

"Our officers attended along with colleagues from the London Ambulance Service and a man was detained under the Mental Health Act and taken for assessment."

South West Trains customers faced particularly bad disruptions to services after the rail company was forced to cut off power to all lines.

A spokesman said: "Stations across the network are very busy, customers will have to wait for some time before boarding trains.

"There is disruption to services running on all routes."

A National Rail spokesman said: "A trespass incident at London Waterloo has prevented trains moving in and out of this station this evening.

"All lines have now reopened and trains are on the move. Delays of up to 60 minutes can be expected until 10pm."