M25 traffic chaos after security alert closes Dartford Crossing

Drivers have been stuck in huge queues after the M25 Dartford Crossing between Kent and Essex was closed in both directions because of a security alert.

Police ordered the closure when a pedestrian was arrested after being spotted behaving unusually, at about 16:00 BST.

The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge was shut at 17:00 BST, with both tunnels shut 20 minutes later.

Kent Police said officers found a suspicious item, forcing the closures.

At about 23:00 BST police said they had begun the process of reopening Dartford Crossing and confirmed that the item found does not pose a threat.

Ben Geoghegan reports.