A man has been charged with theft after passers-by helped hold down a suspect until police arrived.

Nicholas Lancaster, of Stanhope Road, Ashford, allegedly snatched the victim's handbag as he walked past her on nearby Kingsnorth Road.

An eyewitness has described how, upon hearing the elderly woman's shouts, a man sprinted in pursuit of the alleged thief before taking him down.

A silver car also stopped and its passengers got out to help the man detain the suspect.

When the suspect stood up and tried to escape, the 35-year-old was pinned to the car's bonnet until police came.

It happened yesterday at about 12.30pm.

A police spokesman said: "The victim was sitting on a bench when her handbag, containing her purse, was stolen from beside her.

"Nicholas Lancaster, 35, of Stanhope Road, Ashford, was later arrested and has been charged with theft.

"He is due to appear before Medway Magistrates Court on Tuesday, February 4."

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