A shirtless man armed with a pole ran onto train tracks at Surbiton station to try and evade police.

Kingston police were initially called to reports of a suspected assault at Surbiton station at 2.39pm, before British Transport Police and the Metropolitan Police helicopter also came to assist. 

Kingston police's official Twitter feed kept followers updated with regular posts, tweeting: “Suspect now armed himself with a pole.@MPSinthesky keeping him under observation. Officers closing in...”

Meanwhile witnesses on the station platform remarked how the suspect was topless.

Responding to a tweet by the police helicopter, Joel Harrison @joelharrison82 replied: "You missed out he was half naked"

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesman said: “BTP officers were called to Surbiton station on Friday, 27 December following a report of a man on the tracks.

“Trains were placed on caution whilst BTP and Metropolitan Police searched area for the suspect."

A man has since been arrested on suspicion of trespass.

The line was handed back to Network Rail at 3.50pm.