Police officer, 74, chases down and arrests 29-year-old suspect on foot – National

A 74-year-old police officer chased down and arrested a suspect 45 years his junior in a pursuit and foot chase.
By Matthew Mohan-Hickson
Published 28th Mar 2019, 07:38 GMT
Updated 28th Mar 2019, 07:41 GMT
Special Constable Keith Smith (left) caught the suspect who was 45-years his junior. Picture: Essex Roads Police/ TwitterSpecial Constable Keith Smith (left) caught the suspect who was 45-years his junior. Picture: Essex Roads Police/ Twitter
Special Constable Keith Smith (left) caught the suspect who was 45-years his junior. Picture: Essex Roads Police/ Twitter

Special Constable Keith Smith was praised by Essex Police colleagues for running through gardens to catch the 29-year-old man.

The force's roads policing unit said on Twitter that the incident happened after a vehicle failed to stop for Mr Smith in Benfleet on Tuesday.

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‘Despite being 74yrs old he engaged in not only the pursuit but a foot chase detaining the suspect in the gardens of a nearby house,’ police wrote.

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Essex Chief Constable BJ Harrington described Mr Smith as an ‘inspiration to us all’.

The arrested man has been charged with driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, failing to stop and harassment, the force said.

Special Constable Keith Smith (left) caught the suspect who was 45-years his junior. Picture: Essex Roads Police/ TwitterSpecial Constable Keith Smith (left) caught the suspect who was 45-years his junior. Picture: Essex Roads Police/ Twitter
Special Constable Keith Smith (left) caught the suspect who was 45-years his junior. Picture: Essex Roads Police/ Twitter

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