A man brought a stretch of seafront to a standstill as he threatened to throw himself off Worthing Pier.
The pier was closed for nearly three hours as police tried to persuade him not to harm himself.
Emergency services were first called just before 4pm and a crowd gathered to watch the operation unfold.
Coastguard stood by with a paramedic on board in case the man decided to jump.
The man, described as large, in his 40s, and wearing combat trousers and army boots, was eventually arrested for his own safety at about 6.45pm.
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