This was the dramatic scene on the River Thames this morning after officers from the Met Police's maritime unit boarded a cargo ship.

One patrol ship and two large RIBs carrying several officers clad in black approached the stern of the Cymbeline at speed just after 11am.

Officers then scaled the back of the Maltese ship, which had left Dagenham at 10am and is en route to Vlissingen in the Netherlands.

But there was an innocent explanation behind the spectacle, with a Met spokesman confirming it was in fact a training exercise.

The Cymbeline is now back on its journey and is due to arrive at midnight.