Police seek woman to thank her for tripping fleeing suspect on Christmas Eve

Officers returned to find the mystery person but she had already left

Police are seeking a woman who tripped up a suspect as he fled from officers on Christmas Eve.

CCTV footage of the incident shows the suspect evading capture as officers kept up pursuit in Hertford town centre.

The woman is seen stepping forward and swiftly putting her foot out, sending the suspect to the floor and allowing officers to tackle him.

The incident happened at 10.30pm on 24 December. Police were responding to calls that a group of men had allegedly threatened a member of door staff at a venue in the town centre.

They had wanted to thank the woman but she had left when they went back to find her.

East Herts Chief Inspector Gerry McDonald said: “I would like to praise the woman’s efforts in apprehending the suspect – her initiative allowed my officers to capture the suspect and quickly arrest him.

“By the time the officers had detained him and transferred him to a police vehicle, the member of the public had left the scene so they did not get the chance to say thank you.

“If it was you, or you know the identity of this person, please call 101 and ask to be put in touch with me as I would like to personally thank her for what she has done.”

Aaron Cadman, 23, has been charged with possession of cocaine, assault on a police constable and being drunk and disorderly in a public place. He has been released on bail and is due to appear at Stevenage Magistrates’ Court on 24 January.