Vandal in 'hot water' after hiding in a bath

A vandal wanted by police tried to make a clean getaway by hiding in a bath after cops chased him into a house.

The 21-year-old had been wanted by Northumbria Police since last month for allegedly causing criminal damage to a property in Houghton, but had been evading capture.

When he was spotted by eagledeyed officers on Tuesday night, the force say he quickly fled from an address in Sunderland Road on foot, navigating his way over the neighbouring walls in a bid to escape.

But response officers and a team from the force’s Operations Department were hot on his heels, chasing him down the street and into another property – where they found him trying to hide in a bath tub.

He was arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage and remains in police custody today.

Chief Inspector Phil Baker from Northumbria Police said: “This is a great example of a good old-fashioned police chase which has resulted in a suspect who has been deliberately evading capture being arrested. “This individual knew he was wanted for criminal damage and officers have been trying to trace him for several weeks.

"Thankfully he was arrested last night after officers were able to rapidly respond to some new intelligence about his whereabouts, with a number of different teams coming together to track him down and bring him into custody.”

“A great result for our community, and hopefully this goes to show we will not tolerate people evading arrest.”