EAGLE-EYED traffic warden Tracey Wiser put the brakes on a suspected shoplifter after sprinting after him and helping police officers to apprehend him.

The incident happened when Miss Wiser, 30, who is a qualified fitness trainer, was on patrol in Beaconsfield last Wednesday at 4pm.

She was informed of an alleged theft at Iceland, in Grove Court, by the store manager and then went off in search of the suspected thief, who was believed to have stolen £20 worth of frozen goods.

Miss Wiser spotted the suspect running towards the railway station carrying a bag.

She used her radio to liaise with police officers at the nearby Beaconsfield police station before chasing the person, who eventually spotted her.

Miss Wiser, who lives in Amersham, said: "I was walking through the car park and the shopkeeper told me that somebody had stolen some items.

"I saw the man going toward the station so I ran after him. He was about 50 yards in front of me. When he saw me I wasn't that scared. You don't really think of the danger at the time, but it is only later that you think that he could have had a knife."

She was giving details of the person's movements back to the police station.

Police officers came to the scene a few minutes later and arrested a man.

David Smith, manager of Iceland, said: "By the time I was alerted by my assistant that the goods had been taken, the shoplifter had gone down the road.

"I then saw the traffic warden and told her what had happened."

This is the 18th time Miss Wiser has aided the police in similar circumstances.

In 1997 the police awarded her a commendation for her good work which had led to a number of arrests.

She has served as a traffic warden for eight years and has been patrolling Beaconsfield for around five years.

"I am not tempted in joining the police force, though," she said.

"I am more interested in becoming a fitness instructor."

Sergeant Gerry Lister, of Beaconsfield police station, said: "This is an excellent piece of police work from Tracey and she is a credit to the community."

A man has been charged in connection with the incident.

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