A suspected shoplifter was arrested by an police officer who pounced on him after hiding behind a phone box.

PC Dan Onley spotted a man wanted for questioning for a number of thefts from shops while he was walking in London Road, Vange.

The officer, from Basildon’s proactive team based at Pitsea, collared the suspect by hiding behind a phone box and grabbing him when he walked by.

PC Onley said: “We were just coming back down London Road after patrolling near Homebase in Vange.

“We then saw him walking up the hill towards Moss Drive, towards the One Stop shop. “He had a bike with him and I recognised him.

“I got dropped off further up the road and I hid behind the phone box and as he was walking past, I pounced on him.

“I was straight on top of him, he didn’t struggle at all.”

Jon Murton, 35, of Chesterford Green, Basildon, was later charged with nine thefts in the Basildon area and has been remanded in custody.