In a remarkable display of public cooperation, a van driver provided an impromptu transport for armed police officers pursuing a suspect in Thanet, Kent. The incident occurred on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, shortly after midday.
Kent Police were responding to a report of a serious assault in Margate when officers located a suspect on a residential street. Body-worn camera footage released by the force shows officers in pursuit, with one armed officer shouting commands at the fleeing individual. As the suspect ran towards a viaduct, a passing van driver stopped and offered one of the pursuing officers a ride.
"Get in the back," the driver told the officer, who then slid open the van door and said, "go, go go, cheers buddy." The driver then accelerated, assisting the officers in their pursuit.
Within approximately 20 seconds, the officer instructed the driver to stop, exited the van, and raised his rifle. He then issued a final command for the suspect to stop and surrender. The footage then jumps to about seven minutes later, with the officer thanking the driver for his assistance. "No problem, I'm just glad I could be of service," the driver responded, shaking hands with the officer.
According to a spokesperson for Kent Police, the incident unfolded as officers were visiting a property on the high street following the assault report. The suspect, who was wanted, managed to evade officers on foot and fled the scene. The intervention of the van driver proved critical in allowing the police to quickly close the distance and apprehend the individual.
Armed Policing Superintendent Will Lay commended the driver's actions, stating that the successful arrest might not have been possible without his timely assistance. "A violent offender who was being relentlessly pursued, and was seeking to evade capture, came close to losing patrols in a nearby park," Lay noted. "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 van driver has been thanked for his actions and recommended for a commendation by the force. Police highlighted the driver's contribution to keeping the community safe and expressed gratitude for his help.