A MAN is set to appear in court after being chased and arrested by a 74-year-old special constable.

Special Constable Keith Smith was out on patrol in Benfleet on Tuesday and tried to get a driver to pull over.

When the driver failed to stop for Constable Smith, he pursued him in his patrol car.

Following a short car chase, the driver of the car pulled over and fled on foot.

Constable Smith, nearing his mid-70s, leapt out of his patrol car and gave chase to the man on foot.

Following the pursuit through the neighbourhood, Constable Smith located the suspected in the garden of a nearby house and managed to subdue and arrest him.

Mr Smith’s efforts have been widely praised on social media by various figures in Essex Public and members of the public.

The Essex Roads Policing Unit tweeted on Tuesday afternoon: “Our very own Special Constable Keith Smith has just had a vehicle FTS for him in Benfleet.

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

The Southend Specials Constabulary team tweeted: “Amazing work!! From all of the Southend Specials #policefamily”.

Colchester resident Joshua Darling tweeted: “Surely Keith should have his feet up relaxing not chasing billy the burglar! Great work though, makes me feel like joining Essex Specials.”

Another resident tweeted: “What an absolute legend!! Someone write to Queen and get him an OBE or sommat!”

The man SC Smith arrested has since been charged with multiple offences and is due to appear in court tomorrow.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “A man is due to appear in court after being arrested by a long-serving Special Constable.

“John Tait, 29, of no-fixed address, was arrested by SC Smith in Benfleet on Tuesday at around 12.25pm.

“He was subsequently charged with driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, failing to stop and harassment.”

Tait will appear in Southend Magistrates’ Court tomorrow for a plea and trial preparation hearing.