A London hospital was placed under lockdown after a woman was rushed to A&E over fears she had taken poison.

The London Ambulance Service took the woman to hospital at around 3.46am on Thursday and University Hospital Croydon was subsequently closed.

The Metropolitan Police said two officers were exposed to “dangerous substances” and are also under observation.

A police spokesman added: “The London Ambulance Service was called at 3.46am to reports that a woman had taken poison at a property in Thornton Heath.

“The woman was taken by LAS to a south London hospital where she was found to be in possession of a potentially harmful substance.

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“Officers and London Fire Brigade attended Mayday Hospital and a security cordon and containment was set up while specialist officers inspected the item and put safety procedures in place.

“Ambulances and emergency vehicles had access to the hospital throughout the incident response. The road closure has since been lifted and the incident has subsided. No arrests have been made.”

A spokesperson for Croydon Health Services NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are treating a small number of patients following an incident in Croydon this morning (Thursday 4 April), including two police officers who were exposed to chemicals.

“This is an isolated incident and University Hospital Croydon is always open to patients.”