Police Commissioner stops interview to make car chase arrest

Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, interrupted a BBC radio interview to jump into a taxi and make an arrest.

16:56 12 August 2014

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, was being interviewed by BBC London 94.9 Drivetime on the issue of cuts when a minicab driver approached him and asked for help saying his passengers refused to pay the fare and stolen money from his dashboard. Sir Bernard jumped into the minicab and made an arrest.

The Met Police said "four males were seen to jump out of the vehicle and run off" and the Commissioner and an officer got into the minicab in pursuit. They also confirmed that a 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of theft. Another 17-year-old was arrested inside Bruce Grove station on suspicion of theft, handling, and making off without payment.

The driver spoke to BBC London 94.9 and said that he had picked up some people in Chingford and was asked to drive them to a location but one of the passengers asked to be taken to Stamford Hill instead. He added that one of the passengers took £20 from his dashboard and ran away.

"When I see the police, I ask the police 'Please can you stop the guys?" he said.

Not aware that the officer who helped him was the head of the Met Police, he said: "He's very good man, very kind man, he help us as well... he come sit in the car and searched the area as well."

Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe has now made an arrest at "every level" of his career.