Police diverted traffic from a busy Thornton Heath Road on Saturday lunchtime to protect oncoming traffic from a shower of debris being hurled at police from the roof of a house.

At around 1.40pm a man was chased by police into the house on the corner of Hazelmere Road and Bensham Lane, to the astonishment of onlookers, many of whom were on their way to the Crystal Palace v Burnley game.

From around 2pm until 7pm the area around the scene was cordoned off, closing Bensham Lane between Hazelmere Road and Torridge Road, resulting in severe delays.

A man appeared at Croydon Magistrates Court on Monday charged with criminal damage, assault and affray.

December 6, 2001 11:00