Kent van driver praised for giving lift to armed officer chasing suspect

A van driver in Kent has been praised after giving a lift to an armed police officer who was chasing a suspect. Bodycam footage from the officer captured the moment the motorist pulled over to help the police on 16 June and called out: “Get in the back. Get in the back.” The officer got in the van and said, with the sliding door still open: “Go, go, go! Cheers buddy. Follow that police officer.” As the driver sped off in the direction of the suspect, the officer continued: “Just go past him. Keep going past him.” The motorist driving at fast speeds is cautioned by the officer: “Don’t crash,” to which the motorist replies: “I won’t crash, sir.” According to Kent police, the officer, carrying a large weapon, was pursuing a “violent offender” who had fled a property in Margate after an alleged serious assault and ran into a park to evade capture. It is believed the suspect was “close to losing patrols” until the “responsible and public-spirited driver” decided to step in to help. The footage shows the driver pulling up at the side of the road after overtaking the suspect, where the officer jumps out and says: “Don’t move. Put your hands on your head.” The suspect was then arrested. A later clip shows the officer shaking the driver’s hand and thanking him for his help, to which the motorist replied: “I am just glad I could be of service. …