An off-duty CSO helps to detain shoplifter

A committed Community Support Officer has been praised for his dedication after helping to detain a suspected thief while offduty.

Shortly after 3pm on November 15, CSO Daniel Taylor was in Tesco Extra on Roker Retail Park while enjoying a deserved day off.

But C SO Taylor’ s attention s soon turned towards a shopper who was acting suspiciously – and saw him place three bottles of Grey Goose vodka under his jacket.

It was only a matter of time before Kieron Flynn headed towards the exit without paying, but CSO Taylor had already tipped off the store’ s security staff who gratefully intervened.

He then waited with the 28- year-old Flynn until police arrived and placed the suspect under arrest.

Flynn, of Tat ham Street, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to attempted theft when appearing before magistrates in South Tyneside the following day( November 16).

He is due to be sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on December 14.

Now Chief Inspector Nicola Wearing has hailed CSO Taylor for his selfless actions despite not being at work on the day in question.

“I’m incredibly proud to know that I have colleagues like C SO Taylor who are willing to go above and beyond despite being off-duty to ensure criminals are rightly brought to justice.

“By raising the alarm he has helped detain a thief who is now awaiting sentence.

“Shoplifting is increasingly being dealt with by security at the shops themselves.

"However, this incident shows we will still take robust action against those who bring misery to businesses in the city,” declared Chief Inspector Wearing.