A search and rescue mission was launched last night after police received reports a man have fallen in the River Medway.

Police, the Sheerness Inshore Lifeboat and the Medway Coastguard team and a rescue helicopter were called out to the river near the Sun Pier last night at shortly before 8.30pm after it was thought he had fallen in the water.

Officers along with volunteers searched both sides of the river and the coastguard spent about half an hour from 9pm in their boat searching the water.

The area around the Command House and Sun Pier was also searched but a short time later the man was found at his home by police.

The search came just weeks after the same man repo jumped into a river after allegedly going on a rampage in Chatham with a hammer.

During the early hours of Tuesday, June 27, Police, ambulance crews, firefighters, the coastguard, and the police helicopter were called to the River Medway in Chatham to search for the man, who is in his 40s and from the Chatham area.

At the time he apparently jumped into the water to escape police as they tried to apprehend him.

It is understood he had earlier ran along the High Street causing damage with the hammer before throwing it, hitting someone on the foot.

He then fled towards the river and jumped in the water.

The police helicopter was spotted hovering over the river at Chatham for some time and fire crews launched a boat to help in the search.

Paramedics in two cars and a Hazardous Area Response Team were also called.

A life buoy was dropped from the aircraft and the man was pulled from the water and handed over to medics.

A spokesman for police said about last night’s incident, said: “Kent Police was called at 8.23pm on Wednesday, July 19 to a report of a concern for the welfare of a man in Chatham High Street.

“Officers attended and following information received that the person may be in the water the coastguard and the police helicopter assisted in order to search the area.

“The man was later located at an address safe and well.”

It is understood the man was later passed into the care of health professionals.