POLICE chased down a suspected fraudster in Swindon town centre after store staff alerted them to his activities.

Shortly after 1.15pm on Thursday police received their second report of fraudulent activity in the town, and learned that store staff at one of the premises were stalling the suspect until they could get there.

As they arrived at the scene the man ran in the direction of Wharf Green but was tracked by the CCTV system in the area.

Security staff and officers from the town centre neighbourhood policing team were able to catch the 43-year-old suspect on Deacon Street.

A number of false identification documents that are thought to have been used in the fraud were found.

He was taken into custody and is currently on police bail while enquiries continue.

PC Paul Bezzant, of the town centre neighbourhood policing team, said: “We had two reports of fraudulent transactions being carried out during the day.

“One of the two venues had identified that there were suspect transactions, and at around 1.15pm they managed to bide some time while alerting police to their whereabouts.

“The suspect made good his escape but was tracked by the Day Safe CCTV network which is there for exactly this reason.

“A foot chase ensued from Wharf Green to the junction of Deacon Street and staff from the neighbourhood policing team were joined by loss prevention officers from a nearby store.

“The male was arrested and detained, and we recovered a number of pieces of documentation which the suspect had been using fraudulently.

“He had been trying to sell himself as a different individual, and has now been arrested on suspicion of two counts of fraud by false representation.

“He has now been bailed while enquiries continue.”

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: “As always, teamwork is fundamental in our efforts to tackle crime.”

Anyone with any information regarding fraud should contact the fraud team with Wiltshire Police on non-emergency number 101, or if an offence is in progress dial 999 for a response team.