POLICE swooped on a supermarket and arrested a shoplifter after he tried to flee the scene.

The 23-year-old man from Southend was also detained on suspicion of theft, assaulting a police officer, a public order offence, and possession of drugs.

The drama unfolded in the car park of Asda in North Shoebury Road, Shoebury, at about 4.30pm on Saturday June.

Jodie Bennett, 26, saw the man on the floor as she came out of the superstore. She said: “The police had him on the floor and as I was leaving they brought the van round and put him in. He was shouting something but I couldn’t make out what he was saying.”

A spokesman for Essex Police confirmed the man was arrested on suspicion of theft, assaulting a police officer, a public order offence, and possession of drugs. He was in custody when the Echo went to print.