A 74-year-old police officer chased down and arrested a suspect 45 years his junior in a pursuit and foot chase.

Special Constable Keith Smith was praised by Essex Police colleagues for running through gardens to catch the 29-year-old man.

The force’s roads policing unit said on Twitter that the incident happened after a vehicle failed to stop for Mr Smith in Benfleet on Tuesday.

“Despite being 74yrs old he engaged in not only the pursuit but a foot chase detaining the suspect in the gardens of a nearby house,” police wrote.

Essex Chief Constable BJ Harrington described Mr Smith as an “inspiration to us all”.

The arrested man has been charged with driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, failing to stop and harassment, the force said.