Man detained in Littlehampton

A man - appearing to have been aggressive - was detained by a police community support officer at around 11:10am this morning in the town centre.

Copyright: Dwayne Hards.

The detained male was mouthing off at the officer and walking away from the scene as the PCSO followed him and radioed for backup.

As PCSOs' powers don't include making arrests, all the officer can do is follow the man until police constables arrive. The PCSO could, however, make a citizen's arrest if the man committed an indictable (serious) offence, using only reasonable force. Any person can legally arrest someone who commits an indictable offence, including a librarian.

The PCSO was reading the man his legal rights, as he is required to do.