Moment police officer caught drug dealer armed with seven-inch knife after chasing him through children's play park and back gardens

This is the dramatic moment a police officer caught a drug dealer armed with a seven-inch knife after chasing him through a children's play area and gardens.

Neighbourhood officers were on patrol in the Chesterton area of Cambridge when they spotted a group of suspected drug dealers and users near a play park.

As they approached the trio on June 30 last year, Callum Schooling from Letchworth ran off and officers spotted a large red knife in the waistband of his trousers.

Bodycam footage showed the officer in pursuit of him as he left the park on Church Street, before following him into a cul-de-sac then a backyard past a greenhouse.

Schooling led the officer down an alleyway before running through a car park, and the officer then collared him in a garden area outside a block of flats.

During the foot race, the officer could be heard providing updates on his radio, saying: 'He's got a knife. Church Street, he's got a knife.'

He told Schooling: 'Stand still, I've got a taser. Stand still.' The officer then apologised for appearing to get in the way of a colleague's, adding: 'Sorry mate.'

After finally catching up with Schooling after 45 seconds, the officer screamed: 'On the floor now. Get on the floor. On the floor. Arms behind your back.'

Schooling muttered: 'Alright.' The officer then added: 'You are under arrest for an 'off wep' (offensive weapon)' and struggled for breath as he read him his rights.

After being apprehended, Schooling was arrested and found to have the knife, a mobile phone, more than £600 in cash and five pairs of new sunglasses. The 22-year-old from Letchworth also discarded a second phone which was later recovered.

He admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine and possession of a bladed , and was jailed for two years and eight months at Cambridge Crown Court on Tuesday.

PC Will Lovell, of Cambridge Constabulary's neighbourhood support team, said: 'This sentence reflects the serious nature of both drug dealing and carrying a weapon.

'Thanks to the team's work, he is now off the streets. We hope this serves as a reminder that drug dealing is not tolerated in our county.'