The officer got in and with the sliding door still open, he said: “Go, go, go! Cheers buddy. Follow that police officer.”
As the driver sped off in the direction of the suspect, the officer continued giving him instructions.
After overtaking the suspect and another officer chasing him on foot, the van pulled over.
Jumping out, the armed officer trained his gun on the suspect and made the arrest.
The driver, who has not been named, had watched as heavily armed police struggled to keep up with the suspect as he fled the scene after an assault on High Street.
When the driver was thanked by the officer, he said: “I am just glad I could be of service. That was quite exhilarating.”
