Suspect arrested over assault after off-duty officer spotted him hiding in a bush in Vicarage Lane, Ashford
12:29, 20 August 2021
updated: 13:16, 20 August 2021
A wanted suspect was arrested after an off-duty officer spotted him hiding in a town centre bush.
PCSO Luke Jones became suspicious when he spied the man couching amid foliage on Vicarage Lane in Ashford on Wednesday evening.
He called in colleagues when he recognised the 33-year-old from a warrant out for his arrest.
The homeless man was arrested in relation to the assault of a man who suffered arm injuries in Queen Street on May 31.
Insp Simon Johnson, of Ashford community safety unit, praised his colleague for his quick thinking in identifying the wanted man.
He said: "The role of a PCSO is diverse at times and they are trained to adapt to many different situations which can arise within our communities.
"It is commendable that although PCSO Jones was not on duty at the time, he reacted quickly when he spotted the suspect and reported it in, resulting in officers being able to find and arrest a man wanted for an assault."
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