See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy OLIVIA DAY, ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR, AUSTRALIA Published: 15:15 BST, 26 June 2026 | Updated: 15:32 BST, 26 June 2026
This is the moment a plain clothes officer rugby tackles a runaway fugitive as he tries to escape police in a crowded city centre. The wanted man was knocked off his bike after CCTV operators spotted him and alerted Cambridgeshire Police over the radio on Tuesday. Seconds later, dramatic footage shows the quick-thinking officer swooping in and catching the man off guard before both crash onto the pavement. An officer in high-vis then rushed in to assist with the arrest.The man has since been charged with theft, assault, burglary, failing to appear and public order offences.He is due to appear in court.A Cambridgeshire Police spokesperson said: 'CCTV operators in Cambridge initially spotted this wanted man and alerted officers over the radio.'Moments later, a plain-clothes officer swooped in, catching him by surprise and taking him off his bike before colleagues in high-vis arrived to assist. This is the moment a plain clothes officer rugby tackles a runaway fugitive in Cambridge The plain-clothes officer leapt into the air and grabbed the wanted man by the shoulders The pair then crash onto the pavement in the packed city centre An officer in high-vis then rushed in to assist with the arrest'A great example of how our teams work together to keep the city safe.'Viewers were quick to praise the fast-acting officer. One viewer said: 'Quality take down. Proper copper should be well pleased with that. 'Pat on the back moment.'Another said: 'That plain clothes police officer should teach the others some moves, that was very skillful.'A third added: 'Old fashioned policing. Brilliant. Do the crime, do the time.'The Daily Mail has contacted Cambridgeshire Police for further comment.
