White House fence climber arrested

US Secret Service agents arrested an intruder who scaled the White House fence late Sunday, officials said.

The individual was immediately arrested while climbing the fence on the south side of the presidential mansion, Secret Service spokesman Brian Leary said in a statement.

Several US media outlets said the person was carrying a suspicious package that turned out to be harmless. The climber's name and gender were not released.

Secret Service agents, whose job it is to protect the president, have been on high alert in recent months following a string of high-profile security breaches at the White House.

On September 19, a disturbed Army veteran jumped the White House fence, sprinted across the lawn and entered the building with a knife in his pocket.

The person arrested Sunday was placed in custody and charges were pending, officials said. AFP