A PCSO is appealing to find the Good Samaritan who assisted him in catching a shoplifter so he can thank him personally.

PCSO Peter Tscherniawsky, who covers the Trowbridge and Warminster areas, was on foot patrol in Warminster on December 13 when he was alerted to a shoplifting incident at the Boots store in Market Place.

The store gave a description of the suspects and PCSO Tscherniawsky was informed by Warminster CCTV operators of their location in a nearby street.

PCSO Tscherniawsky attended with a colleague and spotted a man in the distance in Copheap Lane who matched the description given.

PCSO Tscherniawsky began to run after the man but he ran away. A member of the public then pulled up in his car next to the police officer.

“He pushed his passenger door open and said ‘jump in mate’. He then drove to just in front of the suspect who was still running away and dropped me off,” said PCSO Tscherniawsky.

“As a result, I was able to apprehend the man until officers arrived.

“All I know is that the driver was a soldier from the 3rd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, based in Warminster, but I didn’t get a chance to thank him as I had to get to the suspect as quickly as possible.

"I’ve not been able to trace this kind man to thank him for his help – and I am hoping the media or the power of social media will be able to help me find him so I can say thank you in person.

“The public are great and are always really helpful. I’d love to be able to show my gratitude.”

The suspect, 35-year-old Anthony Clacher, of Portway Lane in Warminster, was arrested and charged with theft from a shop and appeared at North West Wiltshire Magistrates Court on January 5, where he pleaded guilty to the charge and was issued with a community order to comply with an eight week curfew.

If it was you that helped, email presshq@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk