Weymouth Town Bridge was closed for more than four hours after concern was raised for the welfare of a woman.

Emergency services were alerted to the woman on the bridge at 6.30pm on Monday, sparking a large emergency response. 

Police, ambulance, fire and coastguard negotiated with the woman for more than four hours before she was brought to safety at around 11pm.

During this time the bridge was closed. 

The woman was arrested on suspicion of causing a public nuisance and has been released on police bail.

Police have confirmed the same woman was involved in a similar incident at Bournemouth Pier the day before, Sunday, at 5pm. The police, along with the coastguard, negotiated with the woman for nearly three hours before she was brought to safety.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "At around 6.30pm on Monday, January 29, we received a report of a concern for the welfare of a woman on the Town Bridge in Weymouth Quay.

"Officers attended, along with the ambulance, fire and coastguard, and efforts were made to engage with the woman.

"The bridge was temporarily closed. The incident was resolved safely at around 11.05pm.

"The woman was arrested on suspicion of causing a public nuisance. She has been released on police bail pending further enquiries."

A spokesperson for the Maritime Coastguard Agency said: "HM Coastguard responded to an incident in Weymouth last night, Monday, January 29.

"Alerted at around 7pm, Portland Bill and Wyke Coastguard Rescue Teams and an inshore lifeboat from Weymouth RNLI were sent to the scene, alongside Dorset Police and South Western Ambulance Service."

A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) said: “We were called at 18.45pm on Monday, January 29 to an incident on Weymouth Town Bridge. We sent one double-crewed ambulance."

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