A SHOPLIFTER was caught with a knife after a police chase in Bournemouth town centre.

Bournemouth South neighbourhood policing team were patrolling the town on foot on July 12 when they received a shoplifting report via the shop watch radio.

PC Greg attended the incident and managed to detain the offender after a short chase on foot.

While searching for stolen items a knife was located and seized.

The offender is now assisting officers with their enquiries.

Bournemouth police shared on social media: “Bournemouth South NPT were busy yesterday on foot patrol in the town. Thanks to the report via the Shop Watch radio PC Greg was able to respond quickly to a shoplifter in The Square. After a short foot chase he managed to detain the offender.

“During the search for stolen items a knife was located. This has been seized and the offender in question is assisting officers with their enquiries.

“Knives have no place on our streets and we are committed to dealing with anyone found in possession of them robustly and to the full extent of the law. There is no excuse and each one taken out of the town is a success story we are going to talk about.”