A suspected thief who jumped into the Thames near Twickenham Bridge to escape the police was successfully pulled from the water.

It is the second time in less than a week that a suspect attempting to escape officers has leapt into the Thames.

Last week, a 23-year-old man died after jumping into the river in central Kingston after being confronted by the police over theft allegations.

The alarming incident, witnessed by several dog walkers, happened on Wednesday night at around 9pm.

The rescue operation involved a large number of officers, RNLI Twickenham, the police helicopter and the London Ambulance Service.

One witness said he saw someone riding a scooter being chased by a police motorbike through St Margarets.

"The scooter had parked up and the driver was having an altercation with the policeman after which he legged it in the direction of Kilmorey Road.

"I was back a short while later on Kilmorey Road at the end of the dog walk and an unmarked police car raced up the same road and into Varley Drive. There was definitely a chase on."

advertisement

The Metropolitan Police said: "At around 9pm on Wednesday, August 31, officers on patrol came across a moped being ridden erratically at Charmers Way, Twickenham.

"The rider of the moped abandoned the vehicle and made off on foot along the towpath before entering the water.

"The Met's Marine Unit and the police helicopter assisted in searching for the male.

"He was brought safely from the water and was taken to a west London hospital as a precaution before being arrested on suspicion of theft of motor vehicle and driving without a licence."

Enquiries are ongoing.