A “RELENTLESS” police officer caught a criminal after an “Olympic-speed” foot chase across a muddy rugby field.

PC Kevin Ward sprang into action after police received reports of suspicious men tampering with a motorcycle in West End Lane, Dovercourt.

He chased John Humphreys, 33, across nearby fields, catching and detaining him on the promenade before back-up arrived.

Humphreys, of no fixed address, was arrested and charged with the attempted theft of lead piping in Dovercourt.

He was also charged with dishonestly receiving stolen goods, possession of cannabis and amphetamine and assaulting an emergency worker.

An off-duty officer, who updates the public on police activity across Tendring, said PC Ward’s foot chase followed a successful early-morning raid on a home in St Edmund’s Close, Dovercourt.

He said: “Whilst dealing with this, police received a report of suspicious males seen tampering with a motorbike at West End Lane, which was believed by police to be the same as one stolen from Manor Road.

“PC Ward, being nearby, made his way to the location on foot via a rather boggy and wet shortcut.

“One male was detained on the promenade by PC Ward after an Olympic-speed foot chase across a rather muddy and wet rugby field.”

Humphreys admitted all the charges at a hearing at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

He will be sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on April 6.

Following the raid in St Edmunds Close, a 21-year-old man, from Dovercourt, was arrested on suspicion of money laundering, possession of drugs and theft.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “He has been released under investigation while we continue our inquiries.”

Darren Deex, Tendring Community Policing Team Inspector, said both incidents served as a reminder to the community that the police act on intelligence.

He said: “We will be relentless in our pursuit of bringing those who cause the most harm to our community to justice for their actions.

“We want Harwich to be a safe place to live, work and visit and we need the support and help of our community to achieve this.

“Only through working together and in partnership will we make the difference and we are absolutely committed to doing this.”