'Every man's dream!' Hero van driver helps snare suspect by giving lift to armed police officer

A quick-thinking van driver helped armed officers snare a suspect who was on the verge of escaping, new body-worn camera footage has revealed.

Police had been chasing their target on June 16 following a serious assault on Margate High Street in Kent.

Officers with firearms were pursuing the suspect, who was sprinting on foot towards Tivoli Road.

But the heavily-armed police were struggling to keep up with the wanted runner.

A passing motorist driving a black people carrier noticed the unfolding situation and intervened.

The driver pulled up by the officer and offered him a lift in the back of his vehicle.

"Go, go, go! Cheers buddy. Follow that police officer," the officer responded, weighed down by his equipment.

The van sped towards the suspect whilst the officer gave directions from inside.

"Just go past him. Keep going past him," the officer said.

Moments later, the vehicle pulled over after overtaking the suspect.

The armed officer leapt from the van, aimed his weapon at the individual, and completed the arrest.

The driver, whose identity has been protected with his face obscured in the footage, received a hearty thanks and a handshake from his unexpected passenger.

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"I am just glad I could be of service. That was quite exhilarating," the motorist joked afterwards.

Kent Police's armed policing superintendent Will Lay commended the civilian's intervention.

"A violent offender who was being relentlessly pursued, and was seeking to evade capture, came close to losing patrols in a nearby park," he said.

"However, our armed officers remained committed.

"Thanks to the quick and selfless actions of this responsible and public-spirited driver, officers were able to apprehend the dangerous individual."

“The successful arrest may not have been possible without the member of the public and his vehicle."

Mr Lay said the van driver "should feel proud of his contribution to keeping his community safe", adding that the force is "truly grateful for his assistance".

The clip of the intervention has since gone viral online.

On social media, Rhys Laverty of the Prosperity Institute shared the footage, describing it as "every man's dream".

"Give the bloke a medal," he added, though jabbed: "Surprised the copper didn't say he'd have to fill in a form before hopping in."

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