A police officer borrowed an onlooker's bike to chase a drug dealer through a park.
The dramatic chase took place near Northampton town centre where reports of a possible drug deal taking place near Commercial Street.
The man involved was Sean Christopher Prosser, aged 28, of no fixed abode, and when officers arrived, he made off on a bicycle.
PC Lewis Marks was at the scene and borrowed a bike from a member of the public as he quickly drove to Beckets Park, where the drug dealer was suspected to be heading.
Sean Christopher Prosser has now been jailed
Northampton Police
A spokesperson from Northamptonshire Police said: "Knowing that his vehicle couldn’t enter the park and that he’d be unable to catch Prosser on foot, PC Marks asked another member of the public whether he could borrow his bike.
"[He used] it to cycle across the grass and intercepting the drug dealer opposite St John’s car park where he was tackled to the ground.
"Following a search, Prosser was found to be in possession of a large quantity of cash and phones with messages related to drugs supply on them.
"A CT scan the next day also identified a plugged kinder egg toy case which contained wraps of heroin and crack cocaine."
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The member of public stepped in to help
Northampton Police
Prosser was charged with two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, escaping from lawful custody, acquiring/using/possessing criminal property, being concerned in the supply of cocaine, and being concerned in the supply of heroin.
He pleaded guilty to the offences at Northampton Crown Court at the beginning of October.
He returned to the same court on December 1 where he was sentenced to three years and eight months in prison.
Neighbourhood policing inspector Beth Warren said: "This incident was an example of good old fashioned policing where our officers and members of the public worked together to take down a man whose actions were a blight on the community.
Inspector Warren added: ""The quick-thinking of PC Marks ensured Prosser was arrested swiftly.
"I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank the member of the public who let us borrow his bike."
"Tackling drug harm is a matter of priority for Northamptonshire Police.
"I hope this case demonstrates how quickly we act on community intelligence in order to make our town a nicer place to live."
