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A trespasser has sparked travel chaos after he jumped onto the tracks at Norwood Junction, stripped off his clothes and began rapping during a bizarre stand-off with station staff, witnesses said.

Dozens of freezing commuters have been left stranded on platforms and trains were brought to a standstill after an "aggressive" man climbed onto the tracks in south London at the height of rush hour.

Rail operator Southern said all lines through the station had been blocked as passengers face delays of at least an hour. The disruption is likely to remain until the end of service.

It told passengers that power had had to be turned off in Norwood Junction meaning no trains could run from Selhurst to East Croydon or West Croydon, Crystal Palace to Beckenham Junction or West Croydon and Penge West to East Croydon or West Croydon.

Overground services between Sydenham and West Croydon were also suspended.

Lines were reopened just before 7.30pm but trains are running slower as a precaution which has sparked misery for travellers.

Police were called to the station at 6.30pm but could not find the trespasser at the scene.

Eyewitnesses told the Standard the man became embroiled in an angry stand-off with station staff before he ran down the tracks as police armed with Tasers arrived to detain him.

Business Insider editor Lianna Brinded arrived at the station at around 6pm to catch a train to Horsham when the drama unfolded.

She told the Standard: “We noticed this guy swaying in the middle of the tracks. I don’t know if he was drunk.

"The guy started taking off his clothes and shouting and then he broke out into an impromptu rap. He also asked if he could have a cigarette.

“At first people were sympathetic but as it gets colder and colder people are becoming angry and frustrated.

"Dozens of people were waiting around but some have now left. They just want to get home."

The journalist later told Twitter followers she took a taxi to get home as she gave up waiting for a train.

The National Rail website reads: “A trespasser on the railway at Norwood Junction is causing delays of up to 30 minutes to trains through the station. This is expected to continue until 7.15pm.”

Irate passengers vented their frustration on Twitter as they told how they were left stranded on trains and platforms.

Grace Smith tweeted: “Whilst this "armed" trespasser is on the train track rapping to commuters I'm the sweatiest, most cramped human #norwoodjunction

Meg Pickard wrote: “I'd like to thank* the trespasser at #NorwoodJunction this evening for causing massive delays & making my OH miss his kids' bedtime *punch."

Sophie Price added: “The man dancing on the tracks at Norwood junction tonight, probably the most hated man in the south this evening."

And Shanil Nayee posted: “To the man on the tracks at #NorwoodJunction, get off the tracks. I want to go home.”

A British Transport Police spokesman said: "BTP were called to the railway line close to Norwood Junction station following reports of a distressed male on the track.

"Officers from BTP and the Metropolitan Police attended and carried out a search for the male but he was not located. The line was handed back at 7.11pm.

"Officers are conducting enquiries to identify the male."

Anyone with any information can contact British Transport Police on 0800405040 quoting reference number 397