This the dramatic moment a police officer commandeered an onlooker’s bike to chase a drug dealer through a park.
The extraordinary events were captured on the officer’s body-worn camera after he responded to reports of a possible drug deal taking place near Commercial Street in Northampton town centre.
When PC Lewis Mark and another officer arrived to the scene, the suspect Sean Prosser, 28, immediately fled on his bike. However, PC Marks was one step ahead of him as he quickly drove to Beckets Park, where the drug dealer was heading.
Bodycam footage shows the moment the officer arrives at the park, spots Prosser, and, knowing that he’d be unable to catch him on foot, asks a member of the public to borrow his bike.
A frantic chase then ensues as PC Marks can be seen pursuing the drug dealer across the grass, intercepting him in the street and tackling him to the ground.
Bodycam footage shows the moment the officer arrives at the park asks a member of the public to borrow his bike to catch a suspected drug dealer
A frantic chase then ensues as PC Marks can be seen pursuing the drug dealer across the grass
He eventually catches up to the drug dealer (pictured left) throws his bike in his way and tackles him to the ground
A spokesman for Northamptonshire Police said: ‘A quick-thinking police officer and a helpful member of the public teamed up to take down a drug dealer in Northampton.
‘At about 11.45am on August 23, a member of the public in Northampton town centre called police to report a possible drug deal taking place near Commercial Street. The man involved was Sean Christopher Prosser, of no fixed abode, and when officers arrived, he made off on a bicycle.
‘However, response officer Pc Lewis Marks, was one step ahead of him – driving his police vehicle to Beckets Park where he believed Prosser may be heading.
‘His hunch turned out to be correct because as he turned the car from Victoria Promenade into Beckets Park, a member of the public pointed him in the direction of Prosser who was cycling across the park towards Bedford Road.
‘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, using 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.
‘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 admitted the offences at Northampton Crown Court and 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.
‘The quick-thinking of PC Marks ensured Prosser was arrested swiftly and I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank the member of the public who let us borrow his bike.’
Prosser, who is homeless, is today starting a jail term of three years and eight months following his arrest.