Suspected thief chased down with help of police drone

A bit of a different school run experience this morning.

Officers were called to reports of a man attempting to steal from a van at around 8.15am in Spennymoor.

When challenged, the suspect claimed to have fallen over before making off.

Neighbourhood officers raced to the scene and Sergeant Matthew Fussey put up the force drone to guide officers on the ground.

The suspect was chased on foot by PCSO Dylan Kestle through Middlestone Moor before being arrested by PC Callum Riddell just after 8.45am – much to the bewilderment of children being taken to school.

The man was arrested on suspicion of theft and several shoplifting offences and taken into custody where he remains.