EMERGENCY services were called to a disturbance at Bethlem Hospital’s most secure unit overnight.

The incident involving a number of patients at River House, at the hospital in Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, began at around 10.45pm yesterday (October 1).

Officers from Bromley police and the territorial support group dealt with the situation and left the scene at around 2.50am.

And three fire engines were sent to the scene at about 12.30am after receiving reports of a fire alarm going off but there was no fire.

There were no arrests or reports of any injuries to staff or patients.

A spokesman from Beckenham fire station says they think the noise might have been coming from a panic alarm.

A spokesman for South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust said: "We can confirm that there was an incident involving patients at River House at Bethlem Royal Hospital last night.

"Staff responded promptly and professionally and called the police and fire crews who attended the scene.

"The incident was contained within the unit and there were no reports of any injuries to staff or patients.

"An investigation is currently being carried out."

At full capacity River House can house 89 patients.

It is not yet known how many patients were involved in the incident overnight.

River House opened in 2008 at a cost of £33.5m, it is classified as a medium secure unit.