Police were called to a shopping mall car park in Epsom over concerns for the safety of a woman, who was talked down after threatening to jump this afternoon.

Minor service roads and public footpaths were closed in the immediate area while emergency crews attended the car park, which is owned by Epsom and Ewell Council.

A woman who called the police after becoming concerned that a distressed woman was considering jumping from a multi-storey car park has praised them for their "marvellous" work.

Lisa Wicks said she and her daughter were returning to their car at 1.30pm today after shopping in The Ashley Centre, when her daughter spotted the woman who was in her late 50s to early 60s, sitting near the edge in the adjacent car park.

The 42-year-old said the car park was "pretty empty" and the woman who had glasses and was wearing a cardigan and skirt, looking "quite upset".

She said: "As we got to the car, my daughter said ‘Mum look that lady’s going to jump off’.

"I walked back and dialled 999 who said they had already been informed. 

"She kept moving and shuffling as if she was going to push herself off.

"She was quite upset.  She was on the telephone as well so she may have been saying her goodbyes."

Mrs Wicks, from Great Bookham, who said she usually shops in Guildford but decided to come to Epsom today, said she "felt scared" having seen the lady and told another shopper who arrived in the car park.

She said: "I felt I needed to tell somebody else because I felt scared.

"The police arrived and then security from the Ashley Centre came as we drove out.

"They cordoned off that bit of the car park.

"I didn’t want to see anymore as it was really upsetting and I had my daughter with me.  It was not nice.

"The police did a marvellous job and I’m glad my daughter saw the lady otherwise who knows what might have happened."

Did you see what happened? Call the news desk on 020 8722 6337 or email alice.foster@london.newsquest.co.uk.