UK police praise child for lending bike to capture thief

Boy praised after lending officer his bike during suspect chase

Police in Gosport, UK, have thanked a young boy for lending his bike to an officer, which helped lead to the apprehension of a 47-year-old man on suspicion of theft, burglary, and shoplifting.

LONDON - Police in the United Kingdom are sending praise to a young boy who lent his bike to an officer, which led to the apprehension of a 47-year-old man on suspicion of theft, burglary, and shoplifting.

Footage recorded on Sept. 8, shows the moment Officer Harriett Taylor rode the child's bike down a local street in Gosport, roughly 86 miles south of London.

Police said Taylor approached a "slightly stunned" boy during the pursuit in search of some "pedal power" to assist in the capture of the thief.

"Please can I borrow your bike? I will return it to you," Taylor asked the child, according to police. "Erm... yeah, okay then," the boy reportedly responded.

The chase was successful and the suspect was arrested, police said.