A helicopter was scrambled this morning to assist in the search for a man who was spotted in difficulty near the River Thames.

Police were called to the border between Crayford and Dartford at 7.20am today.

Officers attended the area, as did patrols from the Metropolitan Police and crews from the London Ambulance Service and Kent Fire and Rescue Service. The National Police Air Service also provided assistance.

The man was safely located at around 8am.

Contrary to social media reports the helicopter was not linked to the search for a missing woman.

Regarding that incident police spokesman James Walker said: "Kent Police received a report that a woman was missing from Dartford just before 1am.

"The woman was last known to have been in the Dartford Park area at around 9.45pm and had not returned home.

"Following an area search, she was safely located on the morning of Thursday 26 July."