Britain’s ‘oldest policeman’ praised after chasing down suspect 45 years his junior on foot
Written by News on 28/03/2019
A special constable thought to be Britain’s oldest policeman has been praised after chasing down a suspect 45 years his junior on foot.
Keith Smith, 74, ran after the 29-year-old man following a high-speed vehicle pursuit and arrested him in the garden of a house in Benfleet, Essex, on Tuesday.
The incident happened after a vehicle failed to stop for the officer, Essex Police said.
A force spokesman said that “despite being 74 years old” the officer “engaged in not only the pursuit but a foot chase” before detaining the suspect.
John Tait, 29, has since been charged with driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, failing to stop and harassment.
He is due appear at Southend-on-Sea Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
Following the incident, Essex Chief Constable BJ Harrington described Mr Smith as an “inspiration to us all”.
The special constable has volunteered with Essex Police for more than 20 years, racking up more than 1,300 hours with the force’s roads policing unit last year.
It is not the first time Mr Smith has been praised for his police work.
In August, he came to the aid of an elderly driver who fell ill at the wheel and was spotted weaving in and out of lanes on the A12.
Mr Smith managed to catch up with the driver but when he failed to react to the police sirens, the officer drove alongside the ill motorist and helped him stop safely.
Paramedics suspected the driver was suffering from an infection and he was taken to hospital for further treatment.
(c) Sky News 2019: Britain’s ‘oldest policeman’ praised after chasing down suspect 45 years his junior on foot
