<p class="title">French urban free-climber Alain Robert was arrested Thursday after bringing parts of London's financial district to a standstill by scaling the 46-storey Heron Tower -- the area's tallest building.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The 56-year-old so-called "French Spiderman" took around an hour to climb the 230-metre high tower without ropes or safety equipment, while traffic came to a halt as bemused crowds packed the streets below.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Police in the City of London, the capital's square-mile financial centre, confirmed he was then arrested "for causing a public nuisance" and remained in custody Thursday afternoon<br /> </p>.<p class="bodytext">"This is what I love to do," Robert had told a handful of reporters at a nearby hotel shortly before beginning his ascent.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I have pretty much dedicated my whole life to climb mountains, to climb cliffs, and now to climb buildings -- but always 'free soloing', meaning I'm not using safety devices." The maverick climber has scaled more than 100 structures globally -- including several in London previously -- setting a record for "most buildings climbed unassisted," according to Guinness World Records.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Earlier this year, he was forced to abandon climbing the world's fifth-tallest tower in Seoul, South Korea, after the 123-storey building's security confronted him halfway up.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Robert admitted Thursday he was "very nervous", adding he always felt anxious ahead of an ascent.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"When I start climbing it's OK, because I know I'm going to be completely focused," he added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"But at this point of time I'm a little bit shaky."</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Frenchman, who climbed with a small camera on his forehead, soon attracted hordes of mobile phone-wielding onlookers after starting at lunchtime from busy Bishopsgate on the southwestern side of the building.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Police arrived within minutes and cordoned off nearby roads, quickly clogging traffic in the area.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"It's weird -- that's my office," said 36-year-old finance worker John Doherty, gazing up at Robert as he tackled the lower section of the mixed-use tower, home to offices, restaurants and a bar.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I've just come back from lunch and it's a surprise." Robert threw his arms in the air in apparent jubilation after reaching the top before disappearing out of sight.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Prior to the stunt, he said he "definitely expected" to be detained -- as had occurred after his six other climbs in the British capital.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"They always arrest me," he added. "(In) '95 they were nice, and then after (it) started to get more complicated after 9/11 and everything."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Several skyscrapers in London, including the tower at Canary Wharf, have taken out injunctions against Robert to prevent him climbing them again, according to his manager Bryan Yeubrey.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He said Thursday's site was chosen from a shortlist of three, which also included the 224-metres-high Leadenhall Building -- nicknamed "the cheesegrater" -- and the 38-story "Walkie-Talkie" tower.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"He just wanted to climb in London again," Yeubrey explained.</p>.<p class="bodytext">However, City of London Police criticised the stunt for causing "immense disruption to everyday business".</p>.<p class="bodytext">"It also posed a significant level of risk to the safety of people in and around Heron Tower at the time," said Commander Karen Baxter. (AFP) CPS</p>
<p class="title">French urban free-climber Alain Robert was arrested Thursday after bringing parts of London's financial district to a standstill by scaling the 46-storey Heron Tower -- the area's tallest building.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The 56-year-old so-called "French Spiderman" took around an hour to climb the 230-metre high tower without ropes or safety equipment, while traffic came to a halt as bemused crowds packed the streets below.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Police in the City of London, the capital's square-mile financial centre, confirmed he was then arrested "for causing a public nuisance" and remained in custody Thursday afternoon<br /> </p>.<p class="bodytext">"This is what I love to do," Robert had told a handful of reporters at a nearby hotel shortly before beginning his ascent.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I have pretty much dedicated my whole life to climb mountains, to climb cliffs, and now to climb buildings -- but always 'free soloing', meaning I'm not using safety devices." The maverick climber has scaled more than 100 structures globally -- including several in London previously -- setting a record for "most buildings climbed unassisted," according to Guinness World Records.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Earlier this year, he was forced to abandon climbing the world's fifth-tallest tower in Seoul, South Korea, after the 123-storey building's security confronted him halfway up.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Robert admitted Thursday he was "very nervous", adding he always felt anxious ahead of an ascent.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"When I start climbing it's OK, because I know I'm going to be completely focused," he added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"But at this point of time I'm a little bit shaky."</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Frenchman, who climbed with a small camera on his forehead, soon attracted hordes of mobile phone-wielding onlookers after starting at lunchtime from busy Bishopsgate on the southwestern side of the building.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Police arrived within minutes and cordoned off nearby roads, quickly clogging traffic in the area.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"It's weird -- that's my office," said 36-year-old finance worker John Doherty, gazing up at Robert as he tackled the lower section of the mixed-use tower, home to offices, restaurants and a bar.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I've just come back from lunch and it's a surprise." Robert threw his arms in the air in apparent jubilation after reaching the top before disappearing out of sight.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Prior to the stunt, he said he "definitely expected" to be detained -- as had occurred after his six other climbs in the British capital.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"They always arrest me," he added. "(In) '95 they were nice, and then after (it) started to get more complicated after 9/11 and everything."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Several skyscrapers in London, including the tower at Canary Wharf, have taken out injunctions against Robert to prevent him climbing them again, according to his manager Bryan Yeubrey.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He said Thursday's site was chosen from a shortlist of three, which also included the 224-metres-high Leadenhall Building -- nicknamed "the cheesegrater" -- and the 38-story "Walkie-Talkie" tower.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"He just wanted to climb in London again," Yeubrey explained.</p>.<p class="bodytext">However, City of London Police criticised the stunt for causing "immense disruption to everyday business".</p>.<p class="bodytext">"It also posed a significant level of risk to the safety of people in and around Heron Tower at the time," said Commander Karen Baxter. (AFP) CPS</p>