A custody officer has been praised after he apprehended a suspected shoplifter during his break.
PC Michael Butler was inside Sainsbury’s, in Perry Road, New Basford, when his attention was drawn to a man trying to enter the store through an exit gate.
Moments later, he spotted the man place three boxes of Celebration chocolates into a carrier bag before heading straight for the exit.
At the exit barrier, PC Butler – who was in plain clothes – stopped the man and identified himself as a police officer.
The would-be shoplifter tried to get away but was detained with the help of two members of the public.
During the struggle, the police officer was bitten on the hand by the suspect, who also grabbed his thumb and bent it backwards.
On-duty officers were called to the store and arrested the suspect on suspicion of theft from a shop and assaulting an emergency worker.
The 31-year-old was then transported into custody for questioning.
Inspector Liz Gaskin, of the City Central neighbourhood policing team, said:
“Shoplifting has a detrimental impact on retailers and so PC Butler deserves enormous credit for taking action against a would-be thief while on his break.
“It is yet another reminder of the kind of dedication to public service our officers show every day, regardless of whether they’re on duty.
“I’d also like to praise the two members of the public who helped the officer detain the man as he attempted to get away.
“By acting so courageously, they helped ensure the man was placed into handcuffs and taken into custody.
“The suspect has since been charged and remanded into custody. He now awaits the court process.”
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