This is the moment a van driver stops and gives armed police an 'impromptu lift' to chase a suspect. 

In footage shared online by Kent Police, body-worn video shows officers in pursuit of a man on a residential street in Thanet at 12.49pm on Tuesday, June 16. 

They had been responding to a report of a serious assault in Margate, the force said. 

While armed with automatic rifles, one of the officers is seen shouting: 'Armed police! Stay where you are!' 

His colleague can then be heard saying: 'Armed police! Stay there!' 

The first officer tells colleagues: '(He is) running down the hill towards the viaduct.' 

As the suspect disappears from view of the body-worn camera, a van driver pulls over to offer one of the officers a lift, telling him: 'Get in the back.' 

The officer then slides the door open, saying 'go, go go, cheers buddy' as the driver begins to pursue the suspect. 

Within around 20 seconds, the officer jumps out of the side of the van after instructing the driver to stop before raising his rifle to his shoulder and pointing it at the suspect. 

He then shouts: 'Stop there! Don't move! Put your hands on your head!'

The footage released by Kent Police then cuts to around seven minutes later with the officer telling the van driver: 'Cheers for your help.' 

The driver, who is wearing cargo shorts and a black T-shirt, tells him 'no problem, I'm just glad I could be of service' and the pair shake hands.

The driver adds: 'That was quite exhilarating.' 

In an X post, Kent Police said: 'Praise has been heaped on a van driver who gave an impromptu lift to armed officers chasing a suspect in Thanet.

'During the chase on Tuesday 16 June, a passing motorist stopped to help and told a pursuing armed officer to get in the back of his van.' 

A spokesperson for the force also said: 'Kent Police units were visiting a property in the high street shortly after midday on Tuesday 16 June 2026, following reports of a serious assault in the area. 

'When officers arrived, a wanted suspect managed to evade officers and fled the scene on foot, running towards Tivoli Road. 

'During the chase, a passing motorist stopped to help and told a pursuing armed officer to get in the back of his van. 

'With the officer in the back of the vehicle, they were able to catch up with the fleeing suspect and arrest him soon afterwards.

'The member of the public has since been thanked for his actions and has been recommended for a commendation by the force.'   

Armed Policing Superintendent Will Lay said: 'A violent offender who was being relentlessly pursued, and was seeking to evade capture, came close to losing patrols in a nearby park. However, our armed officers remained committed.

'Thanks to the quick and selfless actions of this responsible and public-spirited driver, officers were able to apprehend the dangerous individual. 

'The successful arrest may not have been possible without the member of the public and his vehicle.

'He should feel proud of his contribution to keeping his community safe, and we are truly grateful for his assistance.'