The a lifeboat from Redcar and a fire engine were also called out to the 225ft bridge at 9pm, where a man in his thirties had made his way to the centre of the bridge and threatened to throw himself into the Tees below.

The lifeboat stood by until the negotiator, assisted by the fire brigade rope rescue team, climbed the bridge and persuaded the man to move back inside the safety rails at the top of the bridge. The man was then taken into police custody.