Two members of the public who helped police locate and arrest a 17-year-old suspected drug dealer in Swindon this afternoon have been praised for their efforts.
Police attempted to stop a Honda Civic which was believed to be involved in the supply of drugs in the town, when the vehicle made off from officers down Southbrook Street, Ferndale, at 12.30pm.
The front seat passenger fled the scene on foot in possession of a ‘distinctive’ bag.
The driver of the vehicle – a man in his 20s – was detained and arrested on suspicion of drug driving and being concerned in the supply of class B drugs.
A containment was put in place in a wooded copse near to where the passenger had been seen and members of the public who were in the area supported in directing officers to his location.
The police helicopter also assisted officers from the air, and a dog unit attended the scene to conduct searches which resulted in a man being located in the wooded area.
A 17-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class B drugs. The distinctive bag was also located and found to contain a substantial amount of cash and cannabis.
Inspector Steve Love said: “Through proactive enquiries officers had identified the vehicle – a Honda Civic – as being involved in suspected class B drug supply.
“When the passenger fled the scene, members of the public in the area were really helpful in assisting and directing officers into the wooded area which led to our dog handler locating a man and his possessions. Thank you to those people for your assistance.”
The two arrested remain in custody at Gablecross police station.
